UCSD receives $16M NIH FIRST Award to recruit 12 diverse, early-career researchers

Immunity against CMV leveraged against pancreatic cancer in study by UCSD, La Jolla Institute of Immunology

Researchers at the University of California San Diego and La Jolla Institute of Immunology have discovered a promising treatment approach for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest and most treatment-resistant forms of cancer. The approach leverages the body’s natural immune response to cytomegalovirus, a common but typically harmless virus that most people are infected with at some point in their lives.

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

Capitol Hill

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a vote of 217 to 214. Later that day, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, officially ending the brief partial government shutdown that began on Jan. 31.

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

Pressed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya acknowledged that he is not aware of any study pointing to a causal link between vaccines and autism.

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

NIH announced Jan. 29 that “Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans,” also called BESH, will no longer be considered clinical trials and will therefore no longer be subject to the requirements under the NIH definition of a clinical trial, including registration and reporting requirements in ClinicalTrials.gov.

Researchers build best practice framework to boost racial and cultural diversity in biospecimen research

A team of researchers developed a best practice framework that other researchers and health systems can leverage to build trustworthiness and increase diversity in biospecimen research.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

Podcast The Directors

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

As NCI paylines drop to 4%, cancer centers are tapping into their institutional funds to provide “bridge funding,” typically in $50,000 to $100,000 increments, to enable investigators to keep their labs open until better times return—next year God willing.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Paul Goldberg and Claire Marie Porter

UCSD receives $16M NIH FIRST Award to recruit 12 diverse, early-career researchers

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Immunity against CMV leveraged against pancreatic cancer in study by UCSD, La Jolla Institute of Immunology

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

Researchers build best practice framework to boost racial and cultural diversity in biospecimen research

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

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UCSD receives $16M NIH FIRST Award to recruit 12 diverse, early-career researchers

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Immunity against CMV leveraged against pancreatic cancer in study by UCSD, La Jolla Institute of Immunology

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into lawNIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

Researchers build best practice framework to boost racial and cultural diversity in biospecimen research

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

Never miss an issue!

Login

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines