Research

Medical breakthroughs start with novel questions

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Research

One of the Premier Research Centers in the World

Our medical research center has access to top minds, unparalleled partnership opportunities, and state-of-the-art equipment. This is where high tech meets high touch, you are never alone on your scientific quest here.

$1 Billion

Research Awards Including $516M from the NIH, 2024

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36

National Academy of Medicine Members

20

National Academy of Sciences Members

Bold Innovation in Medical Research

Medical research at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA redefines what is possible in patient care. Researchers elucidate biological processes and solve medical mysteries, expanding knowledge to heal humankind—one breakthrough at a time.

Dr. Nima Nassiri with patient Oscar Larrainzar

First human bladder transplant performed at UCLA

A UCLA Health surgical team has performed the first-in-human bladder transplant. The surgery was successfully completed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center o

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Medical Research with a Pioneering Spirit

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is one of the premier medical research centers and educational institutions in the nation. Scientists in the medical research center regularly make important new advances that benefit patients, worldwide, and society, in general.

The CT Scan

1961 - 1963: William Oldendorf establishes the bedrock of computerized tomography.

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Tissue Matching

1964: Paul Terasaki develops a tissue test that transforms organ transplantation.

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AID's Research

1981: UCLA physicians report and describe the first cases of AIDS.

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Landmark Leukemia Drug

1983: Owen Witte pinpoints a genetic target crucial to the development of life-saving drugs.

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Alzheimer’s Research

2005: David Eisenberg’s model of amyloid fibers opens new avenues for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

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Successful Gene Therapy

2015: Donald Kohn cures “Bubble Baby” disease using gene therapy.

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Big Discoveries Begin on a Collaborative Campus

Our compact campus is home to leading experts in public health, engineering, computation, genetics, and other fields. Walk to a range of innovation hubs in less than 5 minutes. Collaborations and life-changing conversations are just a short walk away. 

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Departments, Centers & Institutes