Since 2012 , the Institute ’ s director , Robert N . Weinreb , MD , and colleagues have been building a repository of frozen blood samples from more than 5,000 patients with common eye conditions , accompanied by detailed clinical histories . The Institute provided more than a thousand deidentified blood samples to Human Longevity , which has since generated full-genome sequences for each . Researchers can now use this information to look for genetic markers before eye disease develops and help determine whether an individual may need early , preventative treatment .
“ Some of the things we do now were science fiction when I was an undergrad at UC San Diego more than 40 years ago ,” says Larry Goldstein ’ 76 , director of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center at UC San Diego Health and scientific director of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine , a “ collaboratory ” of stem cell researchers from several institutions .
Goldstein ’ s own pursuits are no less astounding . He ’ s essentially become the face of local stem cell research , having played a seminal role in establishing a $ 3 billion state fund for stem cell research in 2004 , which launched the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine ( CIRM ), the state ’ s stem cell agency .
Goldstein continues to be a vocal advocate for stem cell research , and as a scientist has created unprecedented laboratory models of Alzheimer ’ s and other diseases , along with modern marvels of therapeutic innovation .
For instance , Goldstein ’ s team can now convert skin cells of an Alzheimer ’ s patient into a special type of stem cell that can differentiate into neurons that retain the patient ’ s own unique genetic makeup and disease features . These personalized “ neurons in a dish ” allow researchers to study how a patient ’ s brain cells function and test new therapies quickly , without putting patients at risk .
“ From the enormous potential of stem cells to illuminations of the inner workings of cells to new surgical techniques , UC San Diego has always been a catalyst for extraordinary research and advanced medical care ,” says Dean Brenner . “ Even when I first came here on a fellowship in gastroenterology in 1985 , our medical school was unlike any of my previous learning experiences , which no doubt was the purposeful intent of its visionary founders . The School of Medicine was — and continues to be — a home for bold people who want to reimagine and revivify the teaching of medicine , the training of doctors and the mission of conquering disease .”
Save the Date
School of Medicine 50th Anniversary Alumni Reunion
October 12-14 , 2018
Learn more at alumni . ucsd . edu / som50th
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