Viral microRNAs responsible for causing AIDS-related cancer

By Alison Trinidad

For the first time, scientists and engineers have identified a critical cancer-causing component in the virus that causes Kaposi’s sarcoma, the most common cancer among HIV-infected people. The discovery lays the foundation for developing drugs that prevent Kaposi’s sarcoma and other related cancers.

“The mechanism behind the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) that causes healthy cells to become malignant is not well understood despite two decades of intensive studies,” said S. J. Gao, PhD, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and principal investigator of the study. “This is the first time that a viral factor has been shown to be required for KSHV-induced malignant transformation. We have identified a mechanism by which these tiny viral molecules cause the cells to become malignant.”

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February 6th, 2014|Announcements|

USC partners with advocacy organization to improve heart health among Latinos

By Paul Karon

A public education program that trained and fielded a cadre of health mentors in California significantly boosted Latino residents’ knowledge of everything from cholesterol and diabetes to the importance of nutrition and exercise, a USC study showed.

The study, by the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), showed that specially trained “promotoras” — community members who act as health-oriented helpers and liaisons to their neighbors and communities — were effective at communicating key health information. Read More »

February 6th, 2014|Announcements|

NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMIC INITIATIVE KICKS OFF SATURDAY ACADEMY

The USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) launched its Saturday Academy on Jan. 18, expanding to include nearly 100 sixth graders who live near the Health Sciences Campus. The NAI is a seven-year enrichment program preparing low-income, minority students living in neighborhoods surrounding USC’s campuses for success at a college or university. The kickoff event gave students and parents a chance to meet with NAI alumni, who spoke to the students about their experiences with the program and described how it helped them succeed in higher education. Above, the USC Trojan Marching Band plays at the event, held at the USC Galen Center. Photo/Leslie Ridgeway Above, the USC Trojan Marching Band plays at the event, held at the USC Galen Center.
Photo/Leslie Ridgeway

The USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) launched its Saturday Academy on Jan. 18, expanding to include nearly 100 sixth graders who live near the Health Sciences Campus.

The NAI is a seven-year enrichment program preparing low-income, minority students living in neighborhoods surrounding USC’s campuses for success at a college or university. The kickoff event gave students and parents a chance to meet with NAI alumni, who spoke to the students about their experiences with the program and described how it helped them succeed in higher education. Read More »

February 6th, 2014|Announcements|

Calling all Keck School faculty: Cast your vote for USC

U.S. News & World Report ranks many of our excellent clinical departments among the top programs in the country. These rankings are an important marker that communicates the high quality of our patient care and medical research to the public.

Each program’s reputation among physicians is a vital component of scoring. In previous years, U.S. News sent its survey to a small group of board-certified specialists across the country. This year, U.S. News has announced it will expand the survey to reach 50,000 board-certified physicians using an online voting process through Doximity, a new online physician network. Read More »

February 6th, 2014|Announcements|

HSC NEWSMAKERS

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February 6th, 2014|Announcements|