Campus News
UC Irvine chemists shed light on how age-related cataracts may begin
Cataracts affect 25 million people in the U.S. and over 65 million people globally. These numbers are expected to rise as populations age, and life expectancy increases. NIH-supported work offers new insight into the earliest steps of cataract formation at the molecular level. Irvine, Calif., March 4, 2026 — Cataracts are a leading cause of…
Read MoreAntarctica has lost 10 times the size of Greater Los Angeles in ice over 30 years
UC Irvine and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists analyzed three decades of satellite data to measure the retreat of ice sheets over the entirety of Antarctica. The study found more than three-quarters of Antarctica’s coast-reaching glaciers to be stable, with the other quarter undergoing aggressive melting. Research relied on a patchwork of international and commercial…
Read MoreUC Irvine scientists uncover cellular mechanism behind muscle repair
Irvine, Calif., Feb. 27, 2026 — Scientists at the University of California, Irvine’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences have discovered how muscle stem cells “flip a switch” to rebuild damaged muscle – a finding that could help address muscle loss linked to aging, injury and widely used weight-loss medications. The study, published this week in Nature Metabolism,…
Read MoreUC Irvine researchers expose critical security vulnerability in autonomous drones
UC Irvine researchers discovered an attack technique that defeats autonomous target-tracking drones. The approach uses an umbrella with a unique graphic pattern that draws drones in to be captured with a net or forced to crash. Research has implications for border security, law enforcement and personal privacy. The UC Irvine team is sharing its results…
Read MoreA laser focus on melanoma
When Mihaela Balu was interviewing for a postdoctoral position nearly two decades ago, she would describe the kind of training she was looking for, and nearly everyone she talked to nationwide said, “You should go to Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic.” Fortunately for UC Irvine, she did. Now an associate professor of dermatology and…
Read MoreUC Irvine-led team creates first cell type-specific gene regulatory maps for Alzheimer’s disease
Public health researchers use newly developed data analysis method to build the first cell type-specific gene regulatory maps for Alzheimer’s disease, revealing the genetic mechanisms operating within patients’ brains. The study also identified numerous influential “hub genes” that offer promising new targets for early detection and therapeutic intervention. The National Institute on Aging and the National…
Read MoreUC Irvine scientists create powerful enzyme that quickly, accurately synthesizes RNA
UC Irvine scientists used directed evolution to engineer a DNA polymerase that can quickly and accurately produce RNA, overcoming a fundamental limitation of natural enzymes. The new enzyme, C28, synthesizes RNA with high fidelity, supports long sequences, and enables reverse transcription and DNA-RNA amplification, expanding experimental capabilities. The National Science Foundation supported the research. Irvine,…
Read MoreThe ‘forever chemical’ detective
They’re called “forever chemicals” for a reason. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of synthetic compounds that don’t break down easily in the environment – or in our bodies. Used for decades in products like nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, waterproof clothing and firefighting foam, PFAS have become a global concern because of their widespread…
Read MoreSleep disruption damages gut’s self-repair ability via stress signals from brain
Chronic sleep disruption triggers oxidative stress in intestinal stem cells and impairs the gut’s ability to repair itself. The study maps a previously unknown brain-to-gut communication relay. Findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies to protect or restore gut health. Irvine, Calif., Feb. 5, 2026 — Chronic sleep disruption doesn’t just leave people tired and irritable. It…
Read MoreNational health research dialogue comes into focus at UC Irvine
When national health research leaders gather on a university campus, it reflects more than a visit. It affirms a shared commitment to engaging directly with the environments where discovery, data and care intersect. That commitment was evident on Wednesday, Jan. 14, as National Institutes of Health director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya returned to California for just…
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