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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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an array of food that is part of the ketogenic diet

Clinical trial shows that the ketogenic diet is effective at controlling polycystic kidney disease
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Examining the effects of climate change and extreme weather on HIV
Portrait of Kenneth Kosik
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Kenneth S. Kosik

A peek inside the quickening race to understand, treat — and even cure — Alzheimer’s disease
Emily Jacobs seated, looking upward, seated in front of a backdrop of brain imagery
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Emily Jacobs’ lab primarily examines how hormones affect the brain

The current landscape of women’s health — and how it might be improved
Bolivian tribe receiving health education regarding COVID-19
Photo Credit
Michael Gurven
A health educator conveys information about COVID-19 transmission to members of Bolivia's Tsimané population

Remoteness did little to reduce COVID-19 spread to Amazonian Tsimané
close up of brown dog's nose

Dogs can detect COVID-19 infections faster and more accurately than conventional technology, demonstrating readiness for mainstream medical applications
a group of researchers in Bolivia
Photo Credit
Michael Gurven
The Tsimane Health and Life History Project mobile field team, consisting of UCSB anthropologist Michael Gurven, center bottom, and including UCSB undergraduate researcher Tianyu Cao (far right), is composed of several Tsimane anthropologists, a Tsimane health promoter, as well as a Bolivian physician and biochemist.

New research shows genetic mutation known for Alzheimer’s disease is associated with higher fertility in women
researchers working with Senegalese partners
Photo Credit
Courtesy Image
UCSB geographer David López-Carr, center left, and Stanford University health and environmental scientist Andrea Lund, center right, working with Senegalese partners

Nuisance vegetation removal in Senegalese waterways reduces the overall prevalence of parasitic infections and increases local food production
abstract purple and pink peptide molecule

A new synergistic method can create non-canonical amino acids by merging synthetic photochemistry with biocatalysis
A pumpjack nestled between trees and luxury homes.
Photo Credit
iStock
California currently has no setback restrictions, so oil production can occur in the middle of neighborhoods like Signal Hill, in Los Angeles.

Keeping California’s oil in the ground will improve health but affect jobs
concept illustration of genetic material cut from a DNA helix

Researchers discover a way to improve nonviral gene editing as well as a new type of DNA repair
A mountain made of multicolored pill capsules
Photo Credit
Ryan Allen and Peter Allen, Second Bay Studios
A new antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that existing FDA-approved antibiotics can effectively treat multidrug-resistant infections.

New test reveals existing antibiotics, hiding in plain sight on pharmacy shelves, can cure superbugs
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