The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute

12/31/2025

Happy New Year from The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute!

As we enter 2026, we remain inspired by the breakthrough science happening every day in our labs. We are grateful for the dedicated researchers, students and supporters who help us discover hope through science.

Looking forward to another year of tackling the toughest challenges in medicine, together.

12/26/2025

Every brain holds memories — some joyful and some painful.

For those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and memory disorders, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is discovering hope through science.

Our researchers are pioneering drug discoveries by targeting a vital family of motor proteins called myosins. These proteins help shape memory and control how cells grow, but they also play a central role in serious conditions like glioblastoma and PTSD.

By developing precision treatments that target myosin motor activity, we are working to reshape how cells behave to weaken traumatic memories or even stop a tumor in its tracks.

Read more on how we are tackling the toughest challenges in medicine: https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/the-machinery-of-disease-scientist-invents-a-molecular-wrench-that-thwarts-cancer/

12/19/2025

Discovering hope through science.

People with rare diseases like ALS, muscular dystrophy and glioblastoma need cures. Scientists at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute use advanced tools and expertise to investigate rare genetic diseases and invent new medicines. They target the root causes of disease, not just their symptoms.

Learn more about how the institute's experts invent tomorrow's treatments for today's incurable diseases, and forge collaborations to bring the discoveries to patients: https://bit.ly/4540cWb

12/15/2025

In Memoriam: Recalling the Wit and Wisdom of Molecular Biologist Charles Weissmann, M.D., Ph.D., founder of our institute's infectious disease research program.

He was also a co-founder of one of the world's first biotechnology companies, Biogen; invented cloning methods for interferon-alpha 2, long used to treat hepatitis C and some cancers; contributed to the discovery of the infectious nature of prion diseases such as scrapie and "mad cow disease," and developed phage-based methods for creating genetic mutations, long before CRISPR-Cas-9 existed.

Read more about his fascinating life of discovery and invention here: https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2025/12/15/in-memoriam-recalling-the-wit-and-wisdom-of-inventive-scientist-dr-charles-weissmann-m-d-ph-d/

12/11/2025

Matthew Disney, Ph.D., chemistry department chair and director of the Center for RNA Genomic Medicine at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, opened the North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce’s December Business Before Hours event with a powerful reminder: AI is not just about productivity, it’s about the potential to improve lives.

Disney shared how researchers at the institute are using tools like Google’s AlphaFold and UF’s HiPerGator supercomputer to accelerate drug discovery, particularly for diseases driven by faulty RNA. His lab’s work is helping to shape a future where conditions like ALS, Parkinson’s and certain cancers can be treated at the molecular level.

With more than 130 million Americans living with chronic or incurable diseases, the urgency for new approaches is clear, and it’s happening right here in South Florida.

Learn more about Disney's novel treatments: https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/from-incurable-to-treatable/

12/11/2025

Every cure begins with understanding.

At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, scientists explore life at the molecular level to uncover tomorrow’s treatments. Brain conditions, aggressive cancers and rare genetic diseases — our research tackles the tougest challenges in medicine.

Learn how this work is transforming lives, and how it’s happening right here in South Florida: https://bit.ly/48zpi1u

12/03/2025

HIV medicines keep the virus under control but are not a cure. If treatment stops, HIV can come roaring back. An FDA‑approved diuretic may be a useful add-on to antiretroviral therapy, a new study finds.

JUPITER, Fla. — An FDA‑approved medication called spironolactone, often prescribed as a diuretic, or water pill, for heart and blood pressure conditions, may…

12/02/2025

HIV medicines keep the virus under control but are not a cure. If treatment stops, HIV can come roaring back. An FDA approved diuretic may be a useful add-on to antiretroviral therapy, a new study from professor Susana Valente, Ph.D., and colleagues finds.

Read more: https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2025/12/01/common-water-pill-spironolactone-may-help-hiv-medicines-work-faster-and-reduce-inflammation-early-study-suggests/

12/01/2025

Tick tock, Future Scientists!
December 1st waits for no one! Today is the final day to submit applications to the two bioscience doctoral programs based at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Graduate studies are delivered through two programs: the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, based in La Jolla, California, and the University of Florida's Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences. Both PhD programs have distinct application processes, both pay a nice stipend, and both have a December 1 deadline.
Time to hit submit!. Your future self will thank you.

https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/education/graduate-studies/

11/27/2025

Wishing you a warm and hopeful Thanksgiving.

This season, we're grateful for the scientists, students, partners and community members who make our mission possible. At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, we’re committed to tackling the toughest challenges in medicine to build a better future together.

Thank you for supporting science that changes lives.

11/21/2025

The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute provides career-launching summer opportunities for students who want to gain lab experience in pursuit of a biomedical research career.

Our campus has hosted the National Science Foundation’s REU-Research Experience for Undergraduates internship program for nearly 10 years. The program’s alumni have gone on to fulfilling STEM careers in academia and industry.

The next information session on the SURF program requirements and application process will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. Register to join.

The goals of The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute’s SURF program are to expose the next generation of scientists to the breadth of biomedical career opportunities, and to introduce them to the world-class quality of the graduate training program here. Our scientists are leaders in their fields who pr...

11/18/2025

Thank you for helping fight hunger in Palm Beach County!

Graduate students at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute wrapped up their food drive to support the Palm Beach County Food Bank. Their efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to advancing science that helps our community, both in and out of the lab.

Learn more about how you can support local families facing hunger: https://www.pbcfoodbank.org/