The Discoverer
Neuroscientist at UCSF’s Institute for Regeneration Medicine.
posted September 13, 2007 10:00AM
What were most of us doing at the age of 26? Probably not making groundbreaking medical discoveries. In August, Laura Elias’ first significant paper was published in the journal Nature. While studying neural stem cells in rats, Elias discovered a new phenomenon—to sum it up most simply, she found that the tiny “pores” cells use to communicate with each other (called gap junctions) also help cells adhere to one another, which may explain how cells migrate in the developing brain. Though more research is called for, this finding could eventually provide a new avenue for the treatment of several cancers.
“Sometimes you have a ‘Eureka!’ moment, but it’s more like a series of surprises,” Elias says of the scientific process. “You don’t know when you’re going to stumble upon something interesting.”
Though human embryonic stem cells aren’t the only kind used in the center’s research, Elias is quick to defend their use. “I value their potential. We don’t have good treatments for most neurological disorders, and there is hope that stem-cell research will give rise to those treatments.”
It’s not all microscopes and petri dishes, though. “The lab can be boring,” says the Inner Sunset resident. “I have to balance that with something.” Like Argentinian tango. She and her neuroscientist husband, Guillermo, take six hours of lessons each week.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Q&A
Best thing about living in SF?
My tango teacher, Ken Delmar (sftango.com). He used to be a ballet dancer and has a wonderful way of explaining things. Also, Golden Gate Park, which I visit in my rare moments outside the lab!
Why do you think we picked you for Hot 20?
It’s important for young women to see a female scientist at the forefront of research. When my sister heard I was going to be in the magazine, suddenly my job seemed very cool.
If you weren’t a research scientist, what career would you want?
A news reporter.
More 2007 Hot 20 Under 40 Picks
“Sometimes you have a ‘Eureka!’ moment, but it’s more like a series of surprises,” Elias says of the scientific process. “You don’t know when you’re going to stumble upon something interesting.”
Though human embryonic stem cells aren’t the only kind used in the center’s research, Elias is quick to defend their use. “I value their potential. We don’t have good treatments for most neurological disorders, and there is hope that stem-cell research will give rise to those treatments.”
It’s not all microscopes and petri dishes, though. “The lab can be boring,” says the Inner Sunset resident. “I have to balance that with something.” Like Argentinian tango. She and her neuroscientist husband, Guillermo, take six hours of lessons each week.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Q&A
Best thing about living in SF?
My tango teacher, Ken Delmar (sftango.com). He used to be a ballet dancer and has a wonderful way of explaining things. Also, Golden Gate Park, which I visit in my rare moments outside the lab!
Why do you think we picked you for Hot 20?
It’s important for young women to see a female scientist at the forefront of research. When my sister heard I was going to be in the magazine, suddenly my job seemed very cool.
If you weren’t a research scientist, what career would you want?
A news reporter.
More 2007 Hot 20 Under 40 Picks
