Page 15 - Abacoa Community News - February '21

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The Scripps Research Institute News from page 14 both genetic and infectious diseases, such as HIV, for Skaggs Graduate School Associate Dean Christoph Rader,
which neutralizing antibodies are often produced via an Ph.D., praised Jackson’s hard work and impact.
to be circulating throughout the body, systemically.” intramuscular delivery of an AAV vector, says Choe. “We were fortunate to recruit Cody Jackson to our joint
They checked whether the use of a vector targeting “This approach worked like a charm,” she says. M.D./Ph.D. program. His dedication and drive have been
insulin receptor could impact the blood sugar of treated Jackson’s work on the study earned him the cover image outstanding,” Rader says. “As our first graduate, he will always
animals. Testing proved it did not, he adds. for the scientific journal. Conducted as part of his Ph.D. be remembered.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has so far thesis project, it also helped him become the first student In addition to Jackson and Choe, the study’s authors include
approved gene therapies for an eye condition that causes to complete his doctorate through the joint M.D./Ph.D. Michael Farzan, Audrey Richard and Amrita Ojha of Scripps
congenital blindness, and a genetic disease called spinal program offered cooperatively by the Scripps Research, Research; Kimberly Conkright, Jeffrey Trimarchi, Charles Bailey
muscular atrophy. The treatments are life-changing but can Florida branch of the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Michael Alpert of Emmune Inc.; and Mark Kay of Stanford
cost between $500,000 and $2 million per patient. and Biological Sciences, and Florida Atlantic University’s University.
“With enhanced efficiency, doses can be lowered, and Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. This study was supported by grants from the National
with lowered doses, costs and toxicity-related adverse The rigorous joint-degree program demands real Institutes of Health, including R37 AI091476, R44 AI134269
events can be reduced,” Choe says. commitment, Jackson acknowledged. It requires a bachelor’s and R44 TR003501.
Choe says the insulin receptor-targeting strategy is degree plus two years of medical school coursework, followed
useful for another reason. Because the insulin receptor by four to five years of doctoral studies in Scripps Research Scripps Research Virtual
they targeted is conserved across multiple animal species, labs. But that’s not the end of it. Another two years of clinical
the potential new therapies can easily be evaluated in rotations are required to earn the white coat and the letters Front Row Lecture Series
laboratory animals. M.D. He’ll start his clinical rotations this spring.
It’s clear that targeting muscle cells via insulin “I am hoping that completing the training in both programs Who: Scripps Research invites the public to join a free
receptors represents an important improvement in gene means the opportunities will be open for me to do clinical virtual series of live science lectures, called Front Row.
therapy technology and offers potential routes to address practice, or research, or both,” Jackson says. What: Scripps Research scientists share their discoveries
and successes as they work to solve the most pressing
challenges of modern human health. Researchers at the
7 & 8 Grades forefront of their fields share data and interactively answer
th
th
Discover the Starting Fall 2021 questions about COVID-19, cancer, vision loss, chronic
inflammation and more. Sign up for a seat in the Front Row
APPLY NOW
and enjoy compelling presentations, and an insider’s look at
Oxbridge Advantage oapb.org/oxbridgemiddle what’s next in biomedical research.
Where: The series takes place entirely online, so guests

can join from the comfort of their own homes, either over the
phone or on the computer. Advance registration is required, and
guests may register online at frontrow.scripps.edu. For more
information, email frontrow@scripps.edu.
When: Each one-hour lecture begins at 4 p.m. ET.
Why: What makes cancer so difficult to defeat? Why does
the immune system sometimes misfire and attack healthy
tissue? How does the eye turn light into information? Answering
these questions helps scientists develop urgently needed new
treatments for conditions awaiting better options. One of
America’s great innovators, Scripps Research President and
CEO Peter Schultz, Ph.D., kicks off the series with a talk on how
the nonprofit biomedical institute has expanded the bounds of
academic research to transform and accelerate drug development
efforts, to address unmet medical needs around the world.
Register: The lecture series is free to attend with a
reservation. To register visit frontrow.scripps.edu.
To watch past Front Row lectures, subscribe to the Scripps
Research YouTube channel.
February Lecture Information
Hollis Cline, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of
Neuroscience, Scripps Research
Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., Chair and Professor,
Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research
The Science of Sight: An Eye-Opening Presentation on the
Neuroscience of Vision
Wednesday, Feb. 17 – 4 p.m.
Our sense of sight is our
window into the world. Advances in
neuroscience are rapidly unlocking
the secrets of vision and paving the
way for new therapies for blindness
and other vision disorders. In their
Front Row lecture, Hollis Cline,
An Oxbridge education goes beyond the classroom. Ph.D., and Kirill Martemyanov,
Ph.D., cochairs of the Department
With hands-on learning approaches, Oxbridge students tackle real life of Neuroscience at Scripps
Research, will present their cutting-
issues in real time. In and out of the classroom through academics, sports, edge vision research. Among other
topics, they will discuss recent
and community involvement, the Oxbridge experience is interactive, findings on how molecules in the
retina turn light into information,
adaptable, relevant, and anything but common. how visual sensations shape brain
development, and how deciphering
how our visual system works could
An independent, co-educational school NOW for grades 7-12 lead to new ways to detect, prevent,
and correct vision impairments.
About Scripps Research
Scripps Research is an independent, nonprofit
biomedical institute ranked the most influential in the
world for its impact on innovation. With campuses in La
Jolla, Calif., and Jupiter, Fla., we are advancing human
health through profound discoveries that address pressing
medical concerns around the globe. Our drug discovery
and development division, Calibr, works hand-in-hand
with scientists across disciplines to bring new medicines
to patients as quickly and efficiently as possible, while
teams at Scripps Research Translational Institute
harness genomics, digital medicine and cutting-edge
oapb.org/visit informatics to understand individual health and render
more effective healthcare. Scripps Research also trains
the next generation of leading scientists at our Skaggs
Graduate School, consistently named among the top 10
Accredited by FCIS • Member NAIS • 3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 • 561.972.9826 United States programs for chemistry and biological
sciences. Learn more at www.scripps.edu.