Video Library

In a special year-end episode of Science Changing Life, we’re revisiting five moments from 2025 that continue to shape how we think about science. Featuring insights from Scripps Research experts across genetics, infectious disease, public health surveillance and chronic illness, this episode features some of this year’s most memorable soundbites.

Members of the public were invited to meet the San Diego scientists leading groundbreaking biomedical research when Scripps Research held its second annual Discovery Day at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park on Sunday, November 9, 2025. More than 60 Scripps Research graduate students and postdoctoral scholars shared the excitement of scientific discovery at more than a dozen hands-on activity tables. Visitors experienced demonstrations and explored topics ranging from chemistry, neuroscience, viruses and vaccines, aging research, cancer biology, the gut microbiome, and much more.

Just as we can distinguish between the sting of heat and the chill of cold, our immune system is finely tuned to recognize and respond to a wide range of threats, from viruses and bacteria to allergens and injury. This complex sensing relies on communication between diverse cell types, including sensory neurons and immune cells, to ensure responses are tailored to the specific challenge. In this Front Row lecture, Assistant Professor Alejandra Mendoza explored how neuro-immune cellular circuits regulate inflammation, pain, and immunity. By bridging neuroscience and immunology, her research is revealing how our bodies interpret signals from the environment to guide immune decisions, from fighting infections to controlling tumor growth and chronic inflammatory diseases.

The second annual Scripps Research Biotech Innovation Summit convened in La Jolla this October, bringing together thought leaders from across the biotech spectrum for a dynamic program of keynote presentations, fireside chats, pitches and collaborative networking opportunities. Event attendees engaged directly with Scripps Research investigators pioneering early-stage innovation and the programming showcased how strategic partnerships between academia and industry can transform breakthrough discoveries into therapies that address urgent medical needs.

In the world of immunology, “gut reactions” take on a whole new meaning—not emotions, but signals from tiny organisms found in the gastrointestinal tract. And at Scripps Research, Professor Howard Hang explores the surprising power of some of the smallest inhabitants: microbes. These trillions of bacteria living in the gut communicate with human cells to shape immunity, metabolism and even how the body responds to disease treatments.

How do microbes influence our immune system, and can we leverage this relationship to combat disease? In this Front Row lecture, Scripps Research professor Howard Hang delved into his lab’s innovative work at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology and immunology. By dissecting the molecular dialogues between gut bacteria and human cells, Hang’s research uncovers how microbial enzymes generate small molecules—called microbial metabolites—that can influence immune responses. These insights are paving the way for new treatments against infections, cancer and inflammatory illnesses, highlighting the powerful role that microbes play in shaping human health.

There are countless proteins that play critical roles in disease, yet they remain challenging to target with therapeutics. In this Front Row lecture, Professor Benjamin Cravatt explained how his large-scale protein profiling research and innovative chemical technologies are helping identify novel drugs for therapeutic targets previously deemed ‘undruggable.’ Cravatt’s translational work, which is at the intersection of chemistry and biology, has also led to the formation of multiple local biotechnology companies that collectively employ hundreds of scientists who are developing first-in-class candidate medicines for diverse diseases ranging from cancer to neurological disorders.

Your immune system is your body’s natural defense, capable of identifying what belongs and what doesn’t. But when it falters, it can let cancer grow unchecked or mistakenly attack your own healthy tissues, leading to autoimmune diseases. What if we could reprogram the immune system to tip the balance in our favor, gaining an advantage over both cancers and autoimmune disorders? In this Front Row lecture, Calibr-Skaggs’ vice president of biologics, Travis Young, shared how Scripps Research is using genetic engineering to reprogram patients’ own immune cells to create personalized “switchable” CAR-T cell therapies. This approach represents a new class of precision immunotherapy designed to induce deep and durable remissions in patients with a wide range of cancers, from lymphoma to breast cancer, as well as in chronic autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Young explained how this breakthrough strategy works and what it could mean for the future of medicine.

Graduate student Leigh Sewall discusses her journey to Scripps Research, her experience in the Skaggs grad program and what it means to be a woman in STEM. Leigh is a recipient of the David C. Fairchild Endowed Fellowship in the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that disrupts the central nervous system, causing symptoms like muscle weakness, cognitive challenges and a gradual loss of function that current treatments cannot fully repair. MS arises when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the protective layer insulating neurons. Scripps Research chemistry professor Luke Lairson discusses his research on the body’s natural repair pathways—specifically those that activate endogenous stem cells to restore myelin. His work aims to develop therapies that complement existing therapeutic approaches and halt MS progression.

How do our gut and brain communicate with one another, and how do they influence our metabolism, our behavior, and the aging process? Scripps Research neuroscience professor Supriya Srinivasan is dedicated to answering these pressing questions using modern genetic and molecular tools across different experimental systems. Discover how her work could lead to new therapies that restore a healthy metabolism and tackle dysregulation.

The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, the drug development division of Scripps Research, announced a milestone in cancer treatment with the dosing of the first patient in a phase 1 trial evaluating CLBR001 + ABBV-461, a modular, switchable chimeric antigen receptor T cell (sCAR-T) therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have no suitable treatment options. This is the first study of the sCAR-T platform in solid tumors. CAR-T therapy has been transformative for patients with hematological malignancies who failed numerous prior treatments. However, conventional CAR-T therapies have not yet been as successful at treating patients with solid tumors. This challenge is what Calibr-Skaggs’ switchable CAR-T cell therapy platform was designed to address.

In May 2025, Scripps Research's Skaggs Graduate School awarded doctoral degrees to its 33rd graduating class. Professors and faculty share their wisdom to the 61 students who graduated.

How close are we to a future where aging is no longer a barrier to vitality? Scripps Research executive vice president and professor Eric Topol discussed the themes of his new book on longevity. Drawing on the latest breakthroughs, he explored how innovations in artificial intelligence and drug discovery are combating chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration. Topol revealed how these advances are not only extending lifespans but also improving health at every stage of life.

The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research is pleased to present our 2025 Commencement, celebrating our 61 newest doctoral degree recipients who comprise Scripps Research’s 33rd and largest-ever graduating class. Held on Friday, May 16, 2025, the event featured remarks by Professor Keary Engle, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies, Scripps Research President and CEO Pete Schultz, along with introductions of the graduating students by their faculty mentors, each recognizing their student’s academic achievements and scientific accomplishments. We hope you enjoy this celebration of research and discovery, as well as the tenacity, creativity and incredible promise demonstrated by these young scientists.

Scientists are looking for ways to prepare for the next viral pandemic. One virus in particular, the H5N1 flu virus, has the potential to be deadly and devastating, but there are ways we can prepare by focusing on efforts around surveillance, diagnostics, antivirals and vaccines.

Honoring the legacy of the renowned scientist, visionary businessman and global health pioneer John C. Martin, this annual event celebrates scientific advancements and collaboration across academia and industry with the goal of benefitting human health. Keynote speakers include Steven McKnight (UT Southwestern Medical Center) and Gregg Alton (Gilead).

Ranked by the Nature Index among the world's top five most innovative institutes, we empower scientists to pursue high-risk, high-reward ideas that transform our understanding of the world around us and lead to new technologies that shape that world. Through our Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences we’re inspiring and training the next generation of scientific leaders, ensuring the continued trajectory of scientific excellence for generations to come.

How close are we to a future where aging is no longer a barrier to vitality? Scripps Research executive vice president and professor Eric Topol will discuss the themes of his new book on longevity. Drawing on the latest breakthroughs, he’ll explore how innovations in artificial intelligence and drug discovery are combating chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration. Topol will reveal how these advances are not only extending lifespans but also improving health at every stage of life.

What if we could control powerful CAR-T cell therapies like flipping a switch? At the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines at Scripps Research, we're pioneering a next-generation "switchable" CAR-T (sCAR-T) platform—designed to tackle cancer and autoimmune diseases with greater precision, safety and durability. Traditional CAR-T has been highly successful, but multiple barriers remain: off-target toxicity, T-cell ‘exhaustion’ (weakening of CAR-T cell response over time), and manufacturing challenges restrict the widespread use and application of traditional CAR-T to solid tumors. Our platform features a universal design with antibody-based “switches” that are selective for multiple disease-related targets—increasing specificity while reducing potential off-target effects. Preliminary results from our phase 1 trial in B-cell malignancies are promising, and we're now gearing up to expand into solid tumors and autoimmune conditions. Watch to see how this innovative approach could transform the future of immunotherapy.

CAR-T cell therapy has shown remarkable promise in treating autoimmune diseases by effectively “resetting” the immune system—improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. However, traditional CAR-T therapies require lymphodepletion, a chemotherapy-based process that can lead to significant side effects and limit accessibility. At the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines at Scripps Research, we're advancing a novel “switchable” CAR-T platform designed to eliminate the need for lymphodepletion. This approach may significantly reduce treatment-related toxicity and broaden the availability of CAR-T therapy to a wider patient population. Our upcoming phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of our switchable CAR-T cell therapy (CLBR001) and antibody switch (SWI019) in patients with myositis, systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis—with the potential to expand into additional indications in the future.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that disrupts the central nervous system, causing symptoms like muscle weakness, cognitive challenges and a gradual loss of function that current treatments cannot fully repair. MS arises when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the protective layer insulating neurons. In this Front Row lecture, Scripps Research chemistry professor Luke Lairson discussed his research on the body’s natural repair pathways—specifically those that activate endogenous stem cells to restore myelin. His work aims to develop therapies that complement existing therapeutic approaches and halt MS progression.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that disrupts the central nervous system, causing symptoms like muscle weakness, cognitive challenges and a gradual loss of function that current treatments cannot fully repair. MS arises when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the protective layer insulating neurons. Scripps Research chemistry professor Luke Lairson will discuss his research on the body’s natural repair pathways—specifically those that activate endogenous stem cells to restore myelin. His work aims to develop therapies that complement existing therapeutic approaches and halt MS progression.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Pete Schultz, Scripps Research is building on this strong scientific foundation to accelerate the impact of fundamental research on human health. In addition to leading the way in curiosity-fueled science, Scripps Research has emerged as a world leader in translational research, including drug discovery and advances in individualized and digital medicine. The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and the Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI), unique in the nonprofit research sector, are dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into real-world medical advances, including preventative approaches, diagnostics and new medicines.

Scripps Research is pioneering a new model for nonprofit research institutes to address the significant health challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, from pandemic threats to the aging of the global population. Founded 100 years ago, Scripps Research is renowned in the life sciences and chemistry for scientific excellence and for training the scientific leaders of tomorrow. Building on this solid foundation, we've established a unique model that seamlessly combines world-class fundamental and translational research to accelerate the development of innovative, new medicines. We believe this model best captures the impact of groundbreaking discoveries for the benefit of human health. Moreover, revenues generated from these new medicines are reinvested into research, creating a self-renewing funding source and business model that amplifies investments in science and their ultimate impact on the public.

Scripps Research is globally recognized for the breadth and impact of its scientific contributions. Ranked by the Nature Index among the world's top five most innovative institutes, Scripps Research empowers its scientists to pursue high-risk, high-reward ideas that transform our understanding of the world and lead to new technologies that shape our future. Our faculty pursue highly interdisciplinary research, bridging the fields of chemistry, neuroscience, structural and computational biology, cellular and molecular biology, and immunology. Among their many contributions are major advances in understanding the adaptive and innate immune systems, sensory neurobiology and cellular signaling, and they have pioneered technologies in chemical synthesis, synthetic biology and biotechnology. These accomplishments have been recognized by some of the most prestigious honors in science, including six Nobel Prizes (two very recently), six Wolf Prizes, and Breakthrough and MacArthur Genius Prizes. Through our Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences—recognized among the top 10 programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report—we’re inspiring and training the next generation of scientific leaders, ensuring the continued trajectory of scientific excellence for generations to come.

Using cutting-edge genetic tools, 3D electron microscopy, and artificial intelligence, Scripps Research scientists and colleagues have uncovered key structural hallmarks of long-term memory, called an engram. Their study, published in Science on March 20, 2025, paves the way for future advances in treating memory loss and other cognitive impairments associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Viruses use specialized proteins to infect human cells, and understanding their structure is key to creating more effective vaccines and antiviral therapies. In this Front Row lecture, Scripps Research professor Andrew Ward delved into his pioneering work on mapping these proteins with cutting-edge imaging techniques. Ward’s research provides critical insights into viral neutralization mechanisms, paving the way for advancements in vaccine development against pathogens like HIV, influenza, coronaviruses and much more.

Scripps Research is pioneering a new model for nonprofit research institutes to address the significant health challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, from pandemic threats to the aging of the global population. Founded 100 years ago, Scripps Research is renowned in the life sciences and chemistry for scientific excellence and for training the scientific leaders of tomorrow. Building on this solid foundation, we have established a unique model that seamlessly combines world-class fundamental and translational research to accelerate the development of innovative, new medicines. We believe this model best captures the impact of groundbreaking discoveries for the benefit of human health. Moreover, revenues generated from these new medicines are reinvested into research, creating a self-renewing funding source and business model that amplifies investments in science and their ultimate impact on the public.

Viruses use specialized proteins to infect human cells, and understanding their structure is key to creating more effective vaccines and antiviral therapies. Scripps Research professor Andrew Ward will delve into his pioneering work on mapping these proteins with cutting-edge imaging techniques. Ward’s research provides critical insights into viral neutralization mechanisms, paving the way for advancements in vaccine development against pathogens like HIV, influenza, coronaviruses and much more.

How do our gut and brain communicate with one another, and how do they influence our metabolism, our behavior, and the aging process? Scripps Research neuroscience professor Supriya Srinivasan is dedicated to answering these pressing questions using modern genetic and molecular tools across different experimental systems. In this Front Row lecture, Srinivasan revealed the intricacies of the gut-brain networks that regulate energy regulation and fat metabolism, as well as their impact on lifespan. Discover how her work could lead to new therapies that restore a healthy metabolism and tackle dysregulation.

How do our gut and brain communicate with one another, and how do they influence our metabolism, our behavior, and the aging process? Scripps Research neuroscience professor Supriya Srinivasan is dedicated to answering these pressing questions using modern genetic and molecular tools across different experimental systems. Srinivasan will reveal the intricacies of the gut-brain networks that regulate energy regulation and fat metabolism, as well as their impact on lifespan. Discover how her work could lead to new therapies that restore a healthy metabolism and tackle dysregulation.