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Cloud technologies bring organoids into undergraduate classrooms for the first time

Cloud technologies bring organoids into undergraduate classrooms for the first time

Cortical organoids — miniature models of brain tissue grown from stem cells — are becoming increasingly relevant in biotechnology for their usefulness in drug discovery, the study of infectious disease, and more. But the tiny organ models are very tricky to grow and maintain in the lab, meaning many students majoring in biotech-related fields enter the workforce or advanced degree programs without experience working with organoids.

UCSC’s 2023 iGEM team grabs fourth consecutive gold medal and nomination for best software tool at international competition

UCSC’s 2023 iGEM team grabs fourth consecutive gold medal and nomination for best software tool at international competition

A team of UC Santa Cruz students won a gold medal at the 2023 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Grand Jamboree, marking their fourth consecutive year of bringing home the prize, and were nominated as best software tool for the first time. The annual iGEM competition brings together student teams from around the world to present synthetic biology projects that aim to address 21st century societal challenges.

New eDNA Explorer provides a powerful new resource for conservation

New eDNA Explorer provides a powerful new resource for conservation

CALeDNA, a UC-wide consortium project to document California’s biodiversity, has launched a prototype of their new eDNA Explorer. This open-source tool provides a powerful and easily accessible platform for sharing, exploring, and analyzing data from projects that use environmental DNA.

Detecting Cancer Early by Measuring RNA in the Blood

Detecting Cancer Early by Measuring RNA in the Blood

Genomics Institute affiliate Daniel Kim explains how markers in RNA can help create new tests for early cancer detection. Read in Scientific American.
“Early detection of cancer has been shown to save lives,” says Daniel Kim. “And so we really want to be able to diagnose it early, before it spreads to other parts of the body

Smart Gateways into the Lab of the Future

Smart Gateways into the Lab of the Future

The UC Santa Cruz Braingeneers are using cutting-edge smart technologies to streamline their research on human brain ogranoids and learn more about what makes humans unique. Listen to Deanna MacNeil from The Scientist’s podcast interview UCSC Braingeneers Sofie Salama and David Haussler about the smart technology behind growing brain organoids.

Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution

Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution

An international team of researchers has released a landmark study on contemporary evolutionary change in natural populations. Their study uses one of the largest genomic datasets ever produced for a wild animal, comprising nearly 4,000 Darwin’s finches, to reveal the genetic basis of adaptation in this iconic group.