Major Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives
The Division of Biological Sciences is actively engaged in large-scale interdisciplinary research initiatives that will have a wide-reaching impact — initiatives on global health, stem cell research, renewable biofuels, increased food production, climate change and its effects on the planet's biodiversity, and understanding and protecting the ecosystems at the land-sea interface. With its cutting-edge research programs and central role on the Torrey Pines research mesa, the division is poised to be a leader in finding solutions to these perplexing and potentially devastating problems.
Global Health Issues
For nearly 80% of the world's population, infectious disease and parasites are major health problems. Challenges we face include tuberculosis, maleria, worms, cholera, HIV/AIDS, Dengue fever, rotavirus, as well as pandemic influenza. Our scientists are harnessing knowledge about the immune system that can be applied to combating these diseases.
- Discovery of New Antiviral Mechanism in Mammals May Improve Treatment of Hepatitis C Infections
- Study Gives New Insight Into How Anthrax Bacteria Can Evade A Host's Immune Response
Stem Cell Research
Division researchers are actively involved in stem cell research, exploring its potential for curing or treating a wide range of conditions and diseases, including a various cancers.
- Zebrafish Stem Cells Provide Clues to Blood and Immune System Development
- A New Era in San Diego Stem Cell Research: Head of State Stem Cell Institute Comes to Campus in Wake of $43 million Grant to Build Stem Cell Research Facility on Torrey Pines Mesa
See also: UCSD Stem Cell Website
Global Food Production
Applying the biological sciences to both protecting and increasing the world's food supply is of growing importance as the planet's population is projected to increase by 2.5 billion people in less than 50 years.
Rising Food Prices: Multiple causes but no easy solutions
A little over a year ago, tens of thousands of Mexicans protested rising corn prices in what became known as the “tortilla wars.” Today, unrest over rising food prices has spread globally, and governments are scrambling to respond to this crisis and feed their poorest citizens.- Applying Biology to Protecting the World's Food Supply
- Gene That Controls Ozone Resistance of Plants Could Lead to Drought-Resistant Crops
Sustainable Production of Biofuels for a Cleaner Environment, a More Secure Economy
Algae have major benefits as a potential source of biofuels. They can be grown on otherwise non-productive land, thus not competing with food crops, and can be grown using saline aquifers or sea water, rather than requiring fresh water.
- Research on Sustainable Biofuels at UC San Diego / Steve Kay
Pond Scum Has Potential in Push for New Bio-Fuels
A slippery, slimy organism with a natural ability to grow rapidly is gaining respect among researchers who hope to one day harness its potential in mass amounts for the creation of bio-fuels. Read more...
- Plowing ahead past corn for sources of ethanol. Terri Somers / June 17, 2008 / San Diego Union-Tribune
Ethanol from corn is yesterday's news, though you might not know it from the headlines and congressional hearings blaming the alternative fuel for rising food prices and disappearing rain forests. - The Promise of Biofuels - Hype or a Real Solution?
With gas prices approaching $4 a gallon and industries searching for new ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, biofuels – fuels such as ethanol derived from corn and other plant sources rather than petroleum – are becoming an increasingly attractive option to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce our oil imports. - Rising Food Prices: Multiple causes but no easy solutions
A little over a year ago, tens of thousands of Mexicans protested rising corn prices in what became known as the “tortilla wars.” Today, unrest over rising food prices has spread globally, and governments are scrambling to respond to this crisis and feed their poorest citizens.
Climate Change & Biodiversity
UCSD is a leader in the measurement and assessment of global climate change caused by human activity. We are now poised to become a leader in implementing effective solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity and human populations.
- Global Climate Change Lecture Series: presented by the San Diego Natural History Museum, including
- The Future of Biodiversity in a Changing World by UC San Diego biologist Walter Jetz (January 23, 2008)
- Emperor Penguins and Warming Trends in Antarctica by UC San Diego professor Jerry Kooyman (March 19, 2008)
- Study Finds Future ‘Battlegrounds’ for Conservation Very Different to Those in Past
- Threatened Birds May Be Rarer than Geographic Range Maps Suggest
- Study Warns Climate Change and Deforestation will Lead to Declines in Global Bird Diversity
- Global Survey of Lizards Reveals Greater Abundance of Animals on Islands Than on Mainland Ecosystems
- Biologists Produce Global Map of Plant Biodiversity
- Study Finds Tropics Are the Source of Most New Species
Ecosystems at the Land-Sea Interface
Coastal zone ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to global warming as well as human activity. The future of coastal ecosystems is uncertain, partly because they have not yet been studied and documented. We need to explore ways to develop coastal areas in a sustainable way.
- From Microbes to Mussels: Monitoring Life in Vital Coastal Areas
In the grand, global scheme of things, the vast and teeming waters of the world's oceans, the far-flung land masses thriving with flora and fauna, the massive currents of moving air that swirl and sweep across continents, what does the life of a microbe, or a sand crab, or a seagull matter? ....
- People and Nature at the Sea's Edge: Our Future with biologist Kaustuv Roy
