Biotech Briefing: Scientists Analyze the Genetics of Toxic Tides

Plus: Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to former Scripps Research postdoc

Reports + Research

Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Former Scripps Research Postdoc

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that James Allison’s early unorthodox work in immunology at Scripps Research set him on a path that was recognized this week by the Nobel committee. Allison will share the Nobel Prize with Tasuku Honjo for their research into unleashing the immune system to fight cancer. Allison worked on the development of Yervoy, a breakthrough immunotherapy approved to treat melanoma.

QuickPitch 2018 Features 10 San Diego Startups Vying for $75,000

The Tech Coast Angels’ annual competition, now in its 12th year, has selected 10 companies to compete for $75,000 in prize money provided by San Diego Venture Group and Cox Business. The companies were selected from about 280 applicants, spanning software as a service (SaaS), biotech, medical devices, gaming, and other solution products. The top three companies will be selected by a panel of judges. Register for the October 24 event here.

Scientists Analyze the Genetics of Toxic Tides

While it is known that algae blooms in the ocean can start to produce neurotoxins that are harmful to mammals, the biosynthesis of these neurotoxins is not well understood. Research published in Science this week by an international group of scientists from top institutes in San Diego, Canada, and the Czech Republic identified the genes responsible for neurotoxin biosynthesis in a marine diatom. This will now allow for genetic monitoring of algal blooms to help identify conditions that trigger toxin production.

Read + Listen

POW! Podcast of the Week

What do space junk and Schrödinger’s cat have in common? They are both featured in a short episode of Nature Podcast.

Events

It’s Happening Here

October 5
Want to rock out for a good cause? Head to Belly Up in Solana Beach on October 5 for the Immunotherapy Foundation Rock & Roll Avalanche 2.0. All funds raised go toward cancer immunotherapy research at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology.

October 10–12
The BioNetwork Partnering Summit will take place October 10–12 in Laguna Niguel.

October 16
LaunchBio is hosting iTALK: Speaking SciComm, a panel on science communication, on October 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Genesis Kitchen + Drinks at Campus Point.

October 16–18
ASHG 2018, one of the top conferences on human genetics, will take place October 16–18 at the San Diego Convention Center.