USC scientists ID protein that regulates cellular trafficking, potential for anti-cancer therapy

By Alison Trinidad

Chengyu Liang, MD, PhD, was the principal investigator on a new study that discovered two intracellular processes that could lead to novel therapeutics for cancer treatment. Chengyu Liang, MD, PhD, was the principal investigator on a new study that discovered two intracellular processes that could lead to novel therapeutics for cancer treatment.

Molecular microbiologists at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Their findings, which have long-standing significance in the basic understanding of cell biology, appear in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

“Our research reveals a new regulatory mechanism that coordinates two distinct intracellular processes that are critical to cellular homeostasis and disease development,” said Chengyu Liang, MD, PhD, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School and principal investigator of the study. … Read More »

October 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck School student receives NAMME scholarship

By Elise Herrera-Green

Sheila Lau, a second-year student in the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Primary Care Physician Assistant Program, has been selected to receive a 2013 National Association of Medical Minority Educators (NAMME) Scholarship. Lau was one of only eight students in the nation selected for this scholarship. … Read More »

October 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck School outreach group receives $180,000 to mitigate port expansion health impacts

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach generate a huge volume of revenue and high levels of diesel pollution as they move vast amounts of cargo. But this comes at a

Andrea M. Hricko, professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, who directs the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center community outreach and engagement program, received a grant from The Kresge Foundation to research how port expansion affects local health. (Photo/Phil Channing) Andrea M. Hricko, professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, who directs the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center community outreach and engagement program, received a grant from The Kresge Foundation to research how port expansion affects local health.
(Photo/Phil Channing)

cost to the environment — and to the health of nearby residents of low-income communities.

Andrea Hricko, MPH, professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, works with a team of USC and UCLA scientists at the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center, directed by Frank Gilliland, MS, MD, MPH, PhD, professor of preventive medicine. The center is dedicated to studying the health effects of air pollution.

The Kresge Foundation recently awarded a $180,000 grant to the center’s community outreach and engagement program, directed by Hricko, for a two-year project entitled, “Translating the Health Impacts of Ports and Goods Movements.” … Read More »

October 17th, 2013|Announcements|

USC associate professor Ko chairs KAMA meeting

David Ko, MD, clinical associate professor of neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, chaired the 31st Annual Korean American Medical Association (KAMA) Scientific Convention meeting in Las Vegas. Held with the World Korean Medical Organization on July 4-6, the meeting included presentations by 11 USC faculty and two USC MD/PHD graduates. … Read More »

October 17th, 2013|Announcements|

USC researchers to study genetic risk and molecular development of ovarian cancer

By Sara Reeve

Researchers at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded nearly $4 million for two ovarian cancer research project grants from the National Institutes of Health. Both projects utilize the multicenter Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) to perform a large population-based analysis of ovarian cancer patients and their tissues. … Read More »

October 17th, 2013|Announcements|