Happy 2024! We hope you’ve had a great start to the new year. At USC Dornsife, we’re looking forward to keeping you connected with the latest developments and inspiring stories here.
In this issue, discover a new process to construct synthetic chromosomes, hear about a new approach to cancer research and find out whether L.A. residents are still as eager to leave the county as they were during the pandemic.
NEWS
1 Big Thing: Synthetic Chromosome Breakthrough
A groundbreaking technique developed by USC Dornsife researchers speeds up the construction of synthetic chromosomes and could revolutionize fields like medicine, biotechnology and biofuel production.
Synthetic biology is a new way for scientists to take control of yeast, bacteria and other living cells in order to produce useful compounds, such as new medicines.
In recent years, scientists have learned how to make chromosomes and even whole genomes to advance the field.
Why it matters: Synthesizing chromosomes is labor-intensive and costly, but the new CReATiNG (Cloning Reprogramming and Assembling Tiled Natural Genomic DNA) technique simplifies the process, significantly lowering costs and speeding up research.
How it works: CReATiNG involves cloning and reassembling segments of natural DNA, enabling the creation of synthetic chromosomes that can effectively reprogram the cell.
In his words: “With CReATiNG, we can genetically reprogram organisms in complex ways previously deemed impossible,” says Ian Ehrenreich, lead investigator and professor of biological sciences.
CReATiNG’s efficiency and versatility have the potential to accelerate scientific breakthroughs to:
Produce pharmaceuticals and biofuels more efficiently.
Develop cell therapies for diseases like cancer.
Clean the environment by creating pollution-eating bacteria.
Aid space travel by engineering organisms more suitable for the journey.
The U.S. Department of Defense awarded $3.2 million to the newly formed Convergent Science Cancer Consortium (CSCC), led by USC Dornsife’s Peter Kuhn. The consortium gathers experts from diverse fields to develop innovative approaches to cancer treatment.
Why it matters: Cancer, a leading global cause of death, presents complex challenges that frequently surpass the capabilities of conventional research methods.
The consortium aims to uncover effective cancer treatments through a holistic understanding of the disease, uniting experts from disparate fields such as biology, engineering, mathematics and computer science.
Initial members include experts from USC, Stanford University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
In his words: “The CSCC is a paradigm shift in cancer research. By integrating diverse scientific insights, we can develop more effective, tailored treatments for patients, especially those fighting intractable forms of cancer,” explains Kuhn.
The consortium will explore personalized cancer treatments, real-time monitoring technologies like wearable devices, and cancer in military personnel.
The unique focus on cancer in military personnel, a group often exposed to unique environmental risks like asbestos, can offer insights that benefit civilians, as well.
The 2023 LABarometer report reveals trends among L.A. County residents, including their desire to move out of the county, their confidence in the economy, housing costs and discrimination.
Why it matters: The annual livability and affordability report offers the latest insights into the evolving social and economic landscape of the county.
A mere 3% of L.A. residents plan to move away this year, a sharp decline from 2020’s 10%, reflecting improved local sentiments and economic factors.
This trend mirrors a national decline in moving, which may be associated with the economic challenges of moving.
A decrease in neighborhood crime was reported, dropping from 52% to 47% in the past year.
Despite reports of rising costs for goods and services, consumer confidence in the L.A. economy has been increasing steadily over the past two years.
In her words: “We see clear signs of recovery in L.A. as inflation cools, consumer confidence grows, and neighborhood conditions improve,” said Kyla Thomas, director of LABarometer at the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research.
Nearly 20% of L.A. residents have moved within the county due to rent increases, highlighting ongoing housing affordability challenges.
The median rent in L.A. hit a four-year high, climbing 12% from last year to $1,450.
Low-income renters were the most likely to relocate due to increased rent.
64% of renters now allocate more than 30% of their income to rent, classifying them as “rent-burdened.”
Homeowners fared better, with only one-in-five spending more than 30% of their income on mortgage payments, a slight decrease from the previous year.
There was a concerning rise in reported discrimination, with 49% of people reporting day-to-day discrimination, the highest level since 2020.
Latinos were among the groups that experienced a large increase, driven by reports based on physical appearance.
People 18–39 also experienced an increase, driven by discrimination based on job or religion.
Open to all USC Dornsife alumni and undergraduate and graduate students, the USC Dornsife Magazine Creative Writing Contest is looking for original fiction, poetry, memoirs or essays on the theme of health and well-being. The winning entry will be published in USC Dornsife’s award-winning alumni magazine this Spring. Entry deadline is March 15.
We want to highlight the impact of our alumni. If you know an alum — maybe yourself? — doing important, interesting work, tell us! We’re especially interested in stories that fit an upcoming USC Dornsife Magazine theme of either “Health and Well-being” or “California.”
“It’s really important that all of us have dedicated, protected time in our lives to just be here now.”
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang of psychology and neuroscience spoke with The Wall Street Journal about the importance of setting aside time on the weekends so that the brain can enter “default mode” to reflect and recharge.
“The risk for a brand like Stanley is that it might become ubiquitous and is therefore no longer a symbol for one-upping in one’s social network.”
Steve Westberg of psychology spoke with HuffPost about why people are obsessed with Stanley cups.
“Chinese filmmakers have learned how to do big blockbusters with special effects, but they are still limited — only in part by censorship — when it comes to storytelling.”
Stanley Rosen of political science spoke with Variety about censorship in storytelling for Chinese filmmakers.
Events
Deconstructing the Elevator Pitch
Jan. 25, 2024, noon - 1 p.m. PT
Virtual
Get the skills needed to succinctly communicate your professional value and stand out in a competitive market. Overcome imposter syndrome and workshop an elevator pitch that represents your expertise to leave a lasting impression. Learn more >>
Dornsife Dialogues: Digital Detox
Jan. 31, 2024, noon - 1 p.m. PT
Virtual
Social media affects how we communicate, our perceptions of events and our mental well-being. Learn steps to achieve a more balanced and stress-resilient relationship with social media. Learn more >>
Career Success Summit
Feb. 2, 2024, noon - 6 p.m. PT
Ronald Tutor Campus Center, UPC
An immersive experience to elevate your career. Empower your professional journey with talks from inspirational speakers, insightful breakout sessions and networking with fellow Trojans. Learn more >>
Happy Hour in Pasadena
Feb. 22, 2024, 6 - 8:30 p.m. PT
Pasadena, CA
Connect with fellow Trojans at the historic Magnolia House in Pasadena. Expand your network with various industry professionals while enjoying unique craft cocktails and a menu from around the world. Space is limited so register today! Learn more >>
Alumni Perks
USC Alumni Association
Did you know all USC alumni are automatically members of the USC Alumni Association free of charge? Find out about the many benefits provided, including a USC alumni email address, career help and more.
