Leading the way
Sanford Burnham Prebys has deep expertise in fundamental biology and one of the most comprehensive drug discovery centers in the nonprofit world that accelerates the translation of our discoveries toward patient benefit.
46+ years
of pioneering research

Our mission
We conduct world-class collaborative research dedicated to finding cures for human disease, improving quality of life, and educating and training the next generation of scientists, thus creating a legacy for its employees, partners, donors and community.
How we aim to improve human health
Sanford Burnham Prebys is dedicated to discovering the fundamental molecular causes of disease and devising the innovative therapies of tomorrow. The Institute takes a unique, collaborative approach to medical research and has established major research programs in cancer, neurodegeneration and infectious, inflammatory and childhood diseases. The Institute is especially known for its world-class capabilities in stem cell research and drug discovery technologies.
Sanford Burnham Prebys is a U.S.-based, non-profit public benefit corporation based in San Diego (La Jolla), California.
Who we are
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Sanford Burnham Prebys discoveries begin with our people – scientists, postdoctoral candidates, graduate students and support staff – who work collaboratively toward understanding the cause of disease and identifying new therapeutic approaches to improve human health.
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As an independent, nonprofit institution, we focus on conducting biomedical research in cancer, neuroscience, immunology and rare children’s diseases.
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The Institute is home to one of the most comprehensive drug discovery centers in the nonprofit world.
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Our innovative approach to research underpins our strategic partnerships with the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
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We cultivate the next generation of biomedical scientists through our graduate and postdoctoral training programs.
Sanford Burnham Prebys employs more than 500 scientists and staff in San Diego (La Jolla), CA. We are widely recognized for our NCI-designated Cancer Center, the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics and the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center.
Our approach to improving human health is built on three principles

Fundamental Research
Our track record of pioneering research spans more than 46 years, and has produced breakthrough discoveries in cancer, neuroscience, immunology and rare children's diseases.
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Drug Discovery
We operate one of the most advanced drug discovery centers in the world that leverages biomedical discoveries to develop prototype drugs. And our deep culture of collaboration has attracted a global network of passionate partners.
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Education
We're committed to educating and training the next generation of scientific leaders to ensure our legacy continues.
Learn MorePublications
Elevated Oxysterol and N-Palmitoyl-O-Phosphocholineserine Levels in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.
Dang Do AN, Chang IJ, Jiang X, Wolfe LA, Ng BG, Lam C, Schnur RE, Allis K, Hansikova H, Ondruskova N, O'Connor SD, Sanchez-Valle A, Vollo A, Wang RY, Wolfenson Z, Perreault J, Ory DS, Freeze HH, Merritt JL, Porter FD
J Inherit Metab Dis 2023 Jan 31 ;
Three-dimensional Imaging Reveals Immune-driven Tumor-associated High Endothelial Venules as a Key Correlate of Tumor Rejection Following Depletion of Regulatory T Cells.
Milutinovic S, Abe J, Jones E, Kelch I, Smart K, Lauder SN, Somerville M, Ware C, Godkin A, Stein JV, Bogle G, Gallimore A
Cancer Res Commun 2022 Dec 15 ;2(12):1641-1656
Gene Therapy Using Recombinant AAV Type 8 Vector Encoding TNAP-D(10) Improves the Skeletal Phenotypes in Murine Models of Osteomalacia.
Amadeu de Oliveira F, Mohamed FF, Kinoshita Y, Narisawa S, Farquharson C, Miyake K, Foster BL, Millan JL
JBMR Plus 2023 Jan ;7(1):e10709
Differential proteomics of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection reveals molecular changes potentially involved in immune system evasion by a Brazilian strain of ZIKV.
Tatara JM, Rosa RL, Varela APM, Teixeira TF, Sesterheim P, Gris A, Driemeier D, Moraes ANS, Berger M, Peña RD, Roehe PM, Souza DOG, Guimarães JA, Campos AR, Santi L, Beys-da-Silva WO
Arch Virol 2023 Jan 20 ;168(2):70
Smarcd3 is an epigenetic modulator of the metabolic landscape in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Ferguson LP, Gatchalian J, McDermott ML, Nakamura M, Chambers K, Rajbhandari N, Lytle NK, Rosenthal SB, Hamilton M, Albini S, Wartenberg M, Zlobec I, Galván JA, Karamitopoulou E, Vavinskaya V, Wascher A, Lowy AM, Schürch CM, Puri PL, Bruneau BG, Hargreaves DC, Reya T
Nat Commun 2023 Jan 18 ;14(1):292