News

Detecting Pathogens--and Sepsis--Faster and More Accurately by Melting DNA

February 21, 2024

Detecting Pathogens--and Sepsis--Faster and More Accurately by Melting DNA

A new analysis method can detect pathogens in blood samples faster and more accurately than blood cultures, which are the current state of the art for infection diagnosis. The new method, called digital DNA melting analysis, can produce results in under six hours, whereas culture typically requires 15 hours to several days, depending on the pathogen.    Full Story


Five Cutting-edge Advances in Biomedical Engineering and Their Applications in Medicine

February 21, 2024

Five Cutting-edge Advances in Biomedical Engineering and Their Applications in Medicine

Bridging precision engineering and precision medicine to create personalized physiology avatars. Pursuing on-demand tissue and organ engineering for human health. Revolutionizing neuroscience by using AI to engineer advanced brain interface systems. Engineering the immune system for health and wellness. Designing and engineering genomes for organism repurposing and genomic perturbations.  These are the five research areas where the field of biomedical engineering has the potential to achieve tremendous impact on the field of medicine. Full Story


Renowned UC San Diego Microbiome Pioneer Rob Knight Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

February 7, 2024

Renowned UC San Diego Microbiome Pioneer Rob Knight Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Rob Knight, a University of California San Diego professor and international leader in the study of the roles microbes play in human health and disease and the functioning of ecosystems, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering–the highest professional recognition afforded to engineers and computer scientists. On Feb. 6, 2024, the National Academy of Engineering recognized Knight for his pioneering leadership and “for understanding microbiomes and their application to healthcare and sustainability.” Full Story


Researchers Uncover Surprising Link Between Body Temperature and Depression

February 5, 2024

Researchers Uncover Surprising Link Between Body Temperature and Depression

People with depression have higher body temperatures, a finding that supports nascent research suggesting a mental health benefit to lowering the temperatures of those with the disorder, a new research team that includes scientists at the University of California San Diego found.   Full Story


Bioengineer Named NAS New Voice for Emerging STEM Leaders

February 1, 2024

Bioengineer Named NAS New Voice for Emerging STEM Leaders

Kiana Aran, a professor of bioengineering and medicine at UC San Diego, has been named to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s 2024 New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine program. New Voices aims to expand the diversity of expertise engaged in the work of the National Academies while developing a network of U.S. leaders to address national and global challenges. Full Story


AI Harnesses Tumor Genetics to Predict Treatment Response

January 18, 2024

AI Harnesses Tumor Genetics to Predict Treatment Response

In a groundbreaking study published on January 18, 2024, in Cancer Discovery, computer scientists, bioengineers and physicians at UC San Diego leveraged a machine learning algorithm to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing cancer researchers: predicting when cancer will resist chemotherapy. Full Story


Noninvasive Test for Embryo Quality Could Streamline Fertility Treatment

January 10, 2024

Noninvasive Test for Embryo Quality Could Streamline Fertility Treatment

Bioengineers and physicians at UC San Diego have discovered a noninvasive approach that can be used to better predict the quality of lab-grown embryos, potentially streamlining IVF treatment. Full Story


2023 Jacobs School Highlights

December 19, 2023

2023 Jacobs School Highlights

It was another busy year at the Jacobs School of Engineering, as our students, faculty, staff, and industry and community partners worked together to pursue engineering and computer science for the public good. From research breakthroughs in robotics, AI and healthcare, to launching new centers for microelectronics and computing, here are just a few highlights from 2023.   Full Story


UC San Diego Engineering Professors Elected Fellows of National Academy of Inventors

December 12, 2023

UC San Diego Engineering Professors Elected Fellows of National Academy of Inventors

Eric Fullerton, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Prashant Mali, a professor in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, have been named 2023 Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. Full Story


The science of sugar metabolism

November 21, 2023

The science of sugar metabolism

Bioengineernig professor Lingyan Shi and her team are on the cutting edge of the science of sugar metabolism (and the science of fat metabolism).  In particular, they were just awarded $1.97M in NIH grant funding to build an imaging platform to visualize sugar metabolic activities in aging and in disease. Full Story