Diseases associated with aging and development are already a leading cause of death and disability, and their prevalence is rising fast.
By 2050, the number of Alzheimer’s patients age 65 and older may nearly triple from 5 million to 13.8 million. Our researchers are discovering the etiological pathways as well as small-molecule and stem cell-based treatments to address the clinical unmet need of patients.
Translating basic science discoveries into new treatments
Our mission is to translate discoveries from basic molecular research and apply a systems approach to generate breakthrough therapies for devastating neurologic and cardiac diseases.
Programs
Degenerative Diseases Program
Every degenerative disease is associated with misfolded proteins. Studying these proteins provides new clues to protecting our health.
Development, Aging and Regeneration Program
By building, analyzing and probing models of disease, we can pursue innovative treatment strategies for challenging health conditions.
Neuroscience Initiative
This Institute-wide effort brings researchers together to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to understand cellular and molecular processes that underlie neurodegenerative diseases.
Latest news
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New insights into Alzheimer’s disease
Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist publishes two papers that bring us one step closer to understanding—and potentially treating—the devastating condition. -
Top San Diego researchers receive $5 million to study cellular aging
Professors Peter Adams, Ph.D., and Malene Hansen, Ph.D., of Sanford Burnham Prebys will lead key research and development cores. -
Rett Syndrome Foundation funds a potential cure
The research may lead to a major step toward a cure. -
First supercentenarian-derived stem cells created
Advance primes scientists to unlock the secrets of healthy aging. -
10 questions for Alzheimer’s expert Jerold Chun of Sanford Burnham Prebys
Chun weighs in on the state of Alzheimer’s research—and whether there is hope on the horizon. -
How your DNA takes shape makes a big difference in your health
Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists use a cutting-edge genomic technology to shed light on this mystery. -
NIH grant aims to boost heart muscle
The four-year grant totaling nearly half a million dollars hopes to reduce the risk of heart attack. -
Antimicrobial protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease
An immune system protein that usually protects the body from pathogens is abnormally produced in the brain during Par
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Autism researcher raising a son with autism shares his story
Twenty years ago, Fumitoshi Irie, Ph.D., was conducting his postdoctoral research in Tokyo when he noticed his nearly
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Sanford Burnham Prebys and Salk co-organize third annual La Jolla Aging Meeting
The event featured research by local scientists studying the molecular mechanisms of aging, while fostering connections and building relationships that advance new discoveries. -
Nobel laureate Michael Rosbash presents his latest fruit-fly research at Sanford Burnham Prebys
You may want to reconsider swatting that pesky fruit fly: Despite appearances, we share more than half of our genes w
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Drug screen conducted at Sanford Burnham Prebys identifies new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer’s disease
A screen of more than 1,600 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved drugs performed at SBP’s Conrad Prebys Center
Publications
Nuclear Pore Complexes Are Key Regulators of Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Function.
Raices M, D'Angelo MA
Neuron 2019 May 8 ;102(3):509-511
Disulfiram (Antabuse) Activates ROS-Dependent ER Stress and Apoptosis in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Shah O'Brien P, Xi Y, Miller JR, Brownell AL, Zeng Q, Yoo GH, Garshott DM, O'Brien MB, Galinato AE, Cai P, Narula N, Callaghan MU, Kaufman RJ, Fribley AM
J Clin Med 2019 May 6 ;8(5)
Deficient Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial Phosphatidylserine Transfer Causes Liver Disease.
Hernández-Alvarez MI, Sebastián D, Vives S, Ivanova S, Bartoccioni P, Kakimoto P, Plana N, Veiga SR, Hernández V, Vasconcelos N, Peddinti G, Adrover A, Jové M, Pamplona R, Gordaliza-Alaguero I, Calvo E, Cabré N, Castro R, Kuzmanic A, Boutant M, Sala D, Hyotylainen T, Orešič M, Fort J, Errasti-Murugarren E, Rodrígues CMP, Orozco M, Joven J, Cantó C, Palacin M, Fernández-Veledo S, Vendrell J, Zorzano A
Cell 2019 May 2 ;177(4):881-895.e17
Soluble SORLA enhances neurite outgrowth and regeneration through activation of the EGF Receptor/ERK signaling axis.
Stupack J, Xiong XP, Jiang LL, Zhang T, Zhou L, Campos A, Ranscht B, Mobley W, Pasquale EB, Xu H, Huang TY
J Neurosci 2020 Jun 29 ;
Unlabeled lysophosphatidic acid receptor binding in free solution as determined by a compensated interferometric reader.
Ray M, Nagai K, Kihara Y, Kussrow A, Kammer MN, Frantz A, Bornhop DJ, Chun J
J Lipid Res 2020 Jun 8 ;
Selenium Restores Synaptic Deficits by Modulating NMDA Receptors and Selenoprotein K in an Alzheimer's Disease Model.
Zhang ZH, Chen C, Jia SZ, Cao XC, Liu M, Tian J, Hoffmann PR, Xu HX, Ni JZ, Song GL
Antioxid Redox Signal 2020 Jul 7 ;
Reduced C9ORF72 function exacerbates gain of toxicity from ALS/FTD-causing repeat expansion in C9orf72.
Zhu Q, Jiang J, Gendron TF, McAlonis-Downes M, Jiang L, Taylor A, Diaz Garcia S, Ghosh Dastidar S, Rodriguez MJ, King P, Zhang Y, La Spada AR, Xu H, Petrucelli L, Ravits J, Da Cruz S, Lagier-Tourenne C, Cleveland DW
Nat Neurosci 2020 May ;23(5):615-624
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5-Dependent BAG3 Degradation Modulates Synaptic Protein Turnover.
Zhou J, Chow HM, Liu Y, Wu D, Shi M, Li J, Wen L, Gao Y, Chen G, Zhuang K, Lin H, Zhang G, Xie W, Li H, Leng L, Wang M, Zheng N, Sun H, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Xue M, Huang TY, Bu G, Xu H, Yuan Z, Herrup K, Zhang J
Biol Psychiatry 2020 Apr 15 ;87(8):756-769
β-amyloid redirects norepinephrine signaling to activate the pathogenic GSK3β/tau cascade.
Zhang F, Gannon M, Chen Y, Yan S, Zhang S, Feng W, Tao J, Sha B, Liu Z, Saito T, Saido T, Keene CD, Jiao K, Roberson ED, Xu H, Wang Q
Sci Transl Med 2020 Jan 15 ;12(526)