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.

A mosquito sinks its probiscus into its prey

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.

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Zebrafish embryo

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.

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Chart of population growth throughout history. Plotted points: 1 C.E - 250 million; 1776 - 1 billion; 1945 - 2.3 billion; 2006 - 6.5 billion; 2050 - 9.1 billion

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.

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A handful of small clusters of 4-5 algae cells, seen under a microscope, looking like tiny bunches of grapes.

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...

  • The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • 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.

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A spectral tarser clings to the side of a tree, looking directly at the camera with large, perfectly round eyes.

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.

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Also read:

Unidentified underwater insect, looks like a spider with crab-like arms.

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.

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