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Health and Medicine

Our research in medicine produces life-saving developments, advances human health and keeps our society thriving.

A collection of dark green lines and small dots on a pale green background
Photo Credit
Courtesy UCSB Engineering
A close-up view of anaerobic gut fungi under the microscope. Armed with powerful plant-degrading enzymes and a dense network of hyphae, these specialized microbes break down tough lignocellulosic plant matter in the absence of oxygen.

Two UCSB-led projects selected for DOE’s Genesis Mission

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Purple, pink and blue rope-like 3D structures fold over each other, illustrating the protein-folding process.
Photo Credit
iStock / quantic69
Scientific illustration of a 3D protein molecules structure, formed by amino acids and peptides, reflecting the protein-folding process.

New tools to study protein assembly may help in the search for neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
A mosquito feeds on a person's skin.
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panom via iStock
California's warming climate is making the state more hospitable to dengue virus, and to the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry it.

As California warms, cases of dengue fever are expected to grow
Black woman with glasses in beauty aisle looking at products
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iStock

‘Clean’ beauty products for textured hair often contain hidden hazards
person at drafting table leans over a drawing with a pencil in hand
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
College of Creative Studies student Jake Tran

Watching art films can make you a more creative thinker
A man pours milk into cereal bowls for his children.
Photo Credit
Jacoblund via iStock
Milk is often fortified with nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin A, iron and folic acid.

Food fortification prevents 7 billion nutrient gaps annually — but could triple its impact
child at table with big colored crayons drawing on white paper
Photo Credit
Stephen Andrews, Unsplash

New study explores links between early-life gut microbiome and neurodevelopment
red and purple blotches like blurry watercolor strokes like floating in yellowish gell with pick splotches and red strokes
Photo Credit
National Cancer Institute
Acute Myelocytic Leukaemia

UCSB researchers develop a genetic sensor that could allow MRIs to image molecular-level changes
a patient intake form, a stethoscope and a red ribbon that symbolizes HIV

HIV patients are especially vulnerable to extreme weather events
three scientists in lab coats in a laboratory
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Researchers Mia Raimondi, left, Christopher Hayes and lead author Michael Costello have uncovered how pathogenic Bordetella bacteria adhere to mammalian airways despite their hosts' natural defenses

A new look at an old protein may yield therapy for contagious respiratory disease
Five adults in business attire standing shoulder to shoulder in a natural setting
Photo Credit
Courtesy UCSB Engineering
Left to right: Samuel Lobo, Devon Callan, Erica Keane Rivera, Ventura Rivera, Austin Dubose

UCSB startup builds software to speed drug discovery
A rainbow of prescriptions drugs with white bottles on a black countertop.
Photo Credit
Debreny via iStock
Peptides have found use in over 80 drugs worldwide since insulin was first synthesized in the 1920s.

Scientists unlock a massive new ‘color palette’ for biomedical research by synthesizing non-natural amino acids
A mosquito lands on a blue fabric.
Photo Credit
Photo by Егор Камелев on Unsplash
Finding the right taste to send mosquitoes packing could save hundreds of thousands of lives.

Mosquito taste receptor could lead to new insect repellents
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