Jan. 14, 2025

A hungry hummingbird samples an aloe bloom in the heart of Aldrich Park. (Photo: Steve Zylius/UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Scientists design bioluminescent RNA

Scientists have found a way to tag the genetic information stored in DNA critical for the proper functioning of cells with a glowing bioluminescent molecule. This allows scientists to track RNA in real time, helping them to better understand everything from the way viruses propagate to how memories form in the brain. “Being able to see early events and the transport of RNA from the cell body out to neural synapses where connections are being made to other neurons – that directly correlates with memory formation,” said Jennifer Prescher, a professor of chemistry, (above left, with Andrej Lupták, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences). “If you have a way to watch that in real-time, that could tell you something fundamental about the brain and memory, which has been a holy grail in science for a long time.”

New skeletal tissue discovery advances regenerative medicine potential

A UC Irvine-led international research team has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that may aid regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. While most cartilage relies on an external extracellular matrix for strength, “lipocartilage” – which is found in the ears, nose and throat of mammals – is packed with fat-filled cells to enable the tissue to remain soft and springy. “The discovery of the unique lipid biology of lipocartilage challenges long-standing assumptions in biomechanics and opens doors to countless research opportunities,” said the study’s lead author, Raul Ramos, a postdoctoral researcher, above right with Maksim Plikus, a professor of developmental and cell biology.

Norovirus infections rise to highest level in years

UC NEWS

UC Irvine among six universities to use UC-wide health data to improve care

The UC Health Data Warehouse, managed by the UC Health Center for Data-driven Insights and Innovation, contains electronic health data on more than 9 million patients who received care at a UC facility since 2012. In 2024, six research teams across the UC health system leveraged the data resource to find innovative ways to improve health care and treatment. One study by researchers at UC Irvine and UCSF found that adults 65 and older who used telehealth before the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to visit the emergency department and more likely to continue using telehealth during the pandemic, making it easier for older adults to access care and reducing emergency department visits.

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Optimizing a culture of inclusion

The Office of Inclusive Excellence has launched a new campus climate initiative called the U.C.I. Experience – Understanding a Culture of Inclusion to support all student, staff and faculty members in their learning and professional journeys. “This yearlong initiative is designed to build on our vision of cultivating equity-minded leaders and being a welcoming top-tier university founded upon the concepts of inclusive excellence,” said Dyonne Bergeron, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion. The initiative includes a lived experience survey that will provide a detailed measure of the campus climate and serve as a blueprint for improving inclusive excellence as it revisits these topics in the future. The results will be analyzed and published in a report to be made available to the campus community.

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