LJI researchers find new target to express T cells that fight disease<\/p>\n
In the body, a type of cell known as T(rm) are specialized immune cells considered among the body\u2019s first responders to disease. Rather than coursing through the bloodstream \u2014 as many T cells do \u2014 T(rm) cells specialize in defending specific organs. They battle viruses, breast cancer, liver cancer, melanomas, and many other health threats.<\/p>\n
Recently, La Jolla Institute for Immunology professor Pandurangan Vijayanand, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues discovered the cellular driver that leads to T(rm) cell development, offering a potential way to boost T(rm) cell numbers to better fight disease.<\/p>\n
In their new study, the LJI scientists found that T(rm) cells are studded with a membrane receptor molecule called GPR25. The study was the first to show that GPR25 production is induced by a particular signaling molecule. During this process, a regular memory T cell transforms into a T(rm) cell.<\/p>\n
As a result of this study, future therapeutics might target GPR25 to enhance T(rm) cell populations in infectious diseases and cancers.<\/p>\n
DNA New Work series back at La Jolla Playhouse<\/p>\n
La Jolla Playhouse\u2019s annual DNA New Work Series is set to return this month, with productions across San Diego between Thursday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 14.<\/p>\n
Created by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley in 2013 and curated by director of artistic development Gabriel Greene, the DNA series offers playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, as well as play readings before live audiences. As a result, audiences get a closer look at how plays develop, and both veteran and up-and-coming playwrights have an opportunity to further their work.<\/p>\n
![\"Actors](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sut-l-stage-dna.jpg\")
Actors take part in a play-reading at a previous DNA New Works Series at La Jolla Playhouse. The 2025 festival kicks off Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 14. (La Jolla Playhouse)<\/p>\n
Thus, all DNA New Work Series projects take place with no scenic, costume or staging elements, and actors will have scripts in hand. The play readings will take place in the Playhouse\u2019s Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s plays are:\u2022 \u201cWell Well Well\u201d by Brant Russell \u2014 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 6\u2022 \u201cRed Taxi\u201d by Banna Desta \u2014 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7\u2022 \u201cNight Game\u201d by Octavio Solis \u2014 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13\u2022 \u201cIn the Black\u201d by Quaz Degraft \u2014 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14<\/p>\n
Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. Visit lajollaplayhouse.org\/dna-2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 The San Diego Union-Tribune editor Pam Kragen contributed to this report.<\/p>\n Scripps names two new members to board of directors<\/p>\n A pair of leaders in finance and biomedical science are joining Scripps Research\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n Douglas W. Phillips hails from the University of Rochester, where he recently retired as senior vice president and chief investment officer. During his 25 years at the university, he also founded and chaired the medical insurance company\u2019s investment committee.<\/p>\n Fellow new board member Steven M. Paul comes from a finance and institutional management background. Throughout his career, he served as a neuroscientist, psychiatrist and biopharmaceutical executive. He is a current chairman of the board of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund.<\/p>\n La Jolla Art Association to host winter-themed exhibition<\/p>\n Featuring the work of over a dozen local painters and photographers that are a part of the La Jolla Art Association, a new winter-themed exhibition will soon be on view at the La Jolla Community Center.<\/p>\n Titled the \u201cWinter Celebration,\u201d the exhibition opens with an artist reception at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The exhibition runs through January.<\/p>\n A percentage of sales of works will go to the Community Center for its programming. The featured artists are: Beverly Brock, Nicole Caulfield, Ann Chaitin, Chris Conroe, Albert Dean, Irma Gigli, Julia Hiebaum, Gloria Moeller, Gwen Nobil, David Pruitt, Mark Sherman, Dottie Stanley, Jay Wegter, and Ed Whitmore.<\/p>\n Founded in 1919, the mission of the La Jolla Art Association is to advance notable and emerging artists in San Diego through exhibitions and art educational opportunities held at the La Jolla Community Center. Learn more: lajollaartassociation.org<\/a><\/p>\n UCSD to develop new roadway safety courses to reach underserved communities<\/p>\n The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego is expanding its roadway safety education efforts to reach more Californians, with a focus on Native American youth, pedestrian safety and Spanish-speaking communities.<\/p>\n According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 39,345 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2024, marking one of the highest fatality totals in nearly two decades.<\/p>\n Thus, with support from two grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the NHTSA, the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health\u2019s Transportation Research and Education for Driving Safety Center \u2014 or TREDS \u2014 will develop and deliver innovative educational programs to promote safe driving for all roadway users, including drivers, passengers and pedestrians.<\/p>\n