In its first two decades, The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute has built an outsized track record of discovery that has changed science and improved lives. Read on to learn more about the impact of the institute’s inventors and their inventions.
Brain Science
MEMORY
Ronald L. Davis, Ph.D.
The Pioneer of Memory and Forgetting
Discoveries from the lab of Ronald L. Davis, Ph.D. have revolutionized our understanding of how memories are formed, stored, and, crucially, forgotten.
The biology of forgetting
The Legacy of Ron Davis
Ron Davis’ work has not only reshaped our understanding of memory but has also introduced the concept of forgetting as an active, vital process.
The Genes for absentmindedness
On the Tip of Your Tongue
Everyone has experienced transient forgetting. Is it a mental glitch, or a feature of a healthy, normal brain? The Davis lab found an answer.
The gate of Memory
To Forget or to Remember?
The brain manages complex signals about whether to retain or discard a memory with an intricate molecular signalling system, scientists found.
ALZHEIMER’S
Sathya Puthanveettil, Ph.D.
One Scientist's Quest to Understand and Heal Aging Brains
Discoveries from the lab of Sathya Puthanveettil, Ph.D., are illuminating how memory and memory loss occur. His discoveries hold promise for treatments to improve memory.
ADDICTION
Courtney A. Miller, Ph.D.
Bringing Science to Substance Use Disorder
An unexpected discovery from neuroscientist Courtney A. Miller, Ph.D., suggests drug cravings could be eliminated with a medication.
AUTISM
gavin r. rumbaugh, ph.d.
New Insights Into The Developing Brain
Discoveries from the lab of Gavin R. Rumbaugh, Ph.D., have brought hope and new understanding to families affected by a genetic cause of intellectual disability, sensory processing difficulties and seizures. They're also providing new insights about human brain development.
mind the syngap
Understanding Brain Development Through Research
What happens in the brain when a gene critical to learning and memory malfunctions?Â
genetics of development
A Gene Helps Wire Learning
Research on mutations to a gene called Syngap1 sheds light on a cause of serious learning and thinking disabilities in children. It also sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of experience-dependent brain plasticity, for everyone.
Treatments for brain disorders
Powering the Search for New Medicines
The Rumbaugh lab is developing potential treatments for brain disorders with the help of the institute’s drug discovery experts.
Genetic Conditions
ALS
Matthew d. disney, Ph.D.
Taking a Different Approach to Finding ALS Treatments
Matthew D. Disney is known as a pioneer of RNA therapeutics. His creative methods have produced a potential treatment for a leading cause of ALS.
new ideas for incurable diseases
Targeting RNA
Chemist Matthew D. Disney is leading a revolution in drug discovery.
potential ALS treatment
Degrading a Deadly Disease at its Source
A potential RNA medicine from Matthew D. Disney targets a commonly inherited form of ALS.
preventing ALS
Harnessing Cells’ Own Recycling Systems
Using ALS patients’ cells to help create RNA-targeting system.
Cancer Biology
BRAIN CANCER
Courtney Miller, Ph.D.
Inventing a 'Molecular Wrench' to Thwart Cancer
Why a single protein may offer creative new ways to tackle difficult medical challenges like glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive cancers.
PEDIATRIC CANCER
Michalina Janiszewska, Ph.D.
Cracking the Code of Cancer Evolution
As a cancer biologist, Michalina Janiszewska focuses on the hidden complexity within tumors, complexity that can enable some cancer cells to evade treatment and drive relapse.
CANCER PREVENTION
Donna Zhang, Ph.D.
A Cell Detox System Can Protect Cancer Cells
Donna Zhang, Ph.D., is a leading authority on NRF2, which regulates genes involved in cells' detox response. She discovered it plays a multifacted role in protecting cells from developing cancer. Yet it also protects cells once they become cancerous, posing problems for treatment. She's using this knowledge to explore new therapeutic and preventative strategies.
Chemistry and New Medicines
DIABETES
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D.
Exploring Life at the Molecular Level
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., has dedicated his career to understanding the molecules of life in pursuit of treatments for cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and more.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE / CANCER
Ben Shen, Ph.D.
Unlocking Nature
Chemist Ben Shen, Ph.D., founded the Natural Products Discovery Center at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute to explore how nature devises useful chemical matter, and harness that knowledge to benefit all.
HORMONES AND HEALTH
Kendall Nettles, Ph.D.
Safer Medications by Design
Kendall Nettles, Ph.D., considers the molecular structure of key biological targets to design precision medicines, working on tough targets like hormones.
