Two groundbreaking discoveries by UC San Francisco researchers are set to revolutionize our understanding of neurological disorders and cancer treatment. These breakthroughs could unlock new avenues for preventing and treating conditions like autism and Alzheimer's, and develop targeted cancer therapies.
Meet Daniele Canzio, a brilliant mind in the field of neurology, and Balyn Zaro, an expert in pharmaceutical chemistry and immunology. Both have been awarded the prestigious 2026 Bowes Biomedical Investigator Award, a testament to their innovative approaches and potential to make significant contributions to biomedicine.
The Unique Barcodes of the Brain
During brain development, neurons extend their branches to specific territories, ensuring efficient signal transmission without duplication. To avoid overlaps, each neuron has a unique barcode, but with billions of neurons, how is this diversity achieved? Canzio's research reveals that the DNA housing these barcodes is not fixed but can fold like origami, creating unique patterns that act as keys to control DNA-level interactions.
This folding mechanism generates billions of diverse identities, and the process is constant throughout a cell's life. But how are these identities recorded for years? If we can understand this, we might be able to rewrite the identities of neurons and generate new circuits, potentially reversing the damage caused by neurological disorders.
But here's where it gets controversial... Canzio's work suggests that DNA folding could be the key to neurodisease prevention and treatment. With neurons living as long as we do, maintaining these barcodes is crucial. Can we harness this DNA folding ability to rewrite neuronal identities and restore lost connections?
The Immune Cell Mystery
Macrophages, the bouncers and cleanup crew of the human body, decide who gets in and take out the trash. When a salmonella bacteria enters, macrophages respond, eat it, and display a piece of the digested bacteria's protein as a sign. This process, called phagocytosis, is regulated by "eat me" and "don't eat me" signals.
In cancer, this process becomes dysregulated. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) lose their ability to eat cancer cells and suppress other immune cells. Zaro's team discovered that during interactions with cancer cells, macrophages steal proteins from the cancer cell's surface, reprogramming themselves and blocking their cleanup work.
And this is the part most people miss... By developing a new method of mass spectrometry, Zaro's lab revealed cancer proteins on the macrophage's surface for the first time. Now, they're working on a drug to selectively kill macrophages with these proteins, promoting cancer growth.
Furthermore, Zaro's research shows that pathogens can hijack "don't eat me" pathways, evading the immune system. The next step is to develop an antibody to hide this signal, allowing macrophages to clear the pathogen.
With their unique training in chemical biology and immunology, Zaro and Canzio are grateful for the recognition and support from UCSF and the award committee. These breakthroughs offer hope and a financial runway to continue their groundbreaking work, pushing the boundaries of what we know about neurological disorders and cancer.
