South Florida PBS ‘Research Detectives’ features Wertheim UF Scripps scientists exploring memory and Alzheimer’s
JUPITER, Fla. — Scientists on a quest to find treatments for incurable disease are the focus of a new half-hour series from South Florida PBS called “Research Detectives.”
In the premier episode, “Finding Lost Memory,” host Trace Dominguez of “Star Gazers” fame meets with scientists from The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology to explore the scientific effort to sleuth out effective treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The episode highlights recent research discoveries of neuroscientists Ron Davis, Ph.D., and Sathya Puthanveettil, Ph.D., at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. Davis is known for his discovery that some types of forgetting are normal and healthy, and controlled by specific genes. Davis’ work on dementia is identifying potential ways to protect brain cells’ energy organelles called mitochondria, to keep them healthier, longer. Puthanveettil studies how brain cells create connections and memories by extending internal highways and moving cargo along those “roads” via molecular couriers.
“Research Detectives” also follows Dominguez traveling to Gainesville to learn more about strategies for preserving brain health. He interviews clinician researchers at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, and David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and president of UF Health.
“Research Detectives” airs three times in April:
Sunday, April 16, 7:30 PM | WXEL
Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 PM | Health Channel
Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 PM | WPBT
Beginning Monday, April 17, the entire program can be viewed on the Health Channel website. Read more about the scientists’ work here.
About UF Scripps Biomedical Research
The scientists of The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Intitute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology advance human health through biomedical research, drug discovery and clinical studies, while providing outstanding educational opportunities to inspire and train the next generation of scientists. Founded by Scripps Research, the Florida institute joined the University of Florida, one of the nation’s top five public universities, in 2022. Learn more at https://scripps.ufl.edu/.