Jonas Salk’s journey from question to impact
The Salk vaccine
1941
QUESTION
How does the influenza virus work, and how can we immunize people against it?
1945
DISCOVERY
Develops methodology for creating vaccines using inactivated (“killed”) viruses
1955
INNOVATION
Salk uses this methodology to create a safe, effective inactivated vaccine for poliovirus
1962
HUMAN IMPACT
Polio cases drop dramatically, transforming public health worldwide
Following the triumph of his polio vaccine, Jonas Salk founded the Salk Institute—a place where scientists like him could gather to ask foundational questions with transformational potential. Since then, new journeys from question to impact begin every day.
Salk Institute journeys from question to impact
A new class of lifesaving cancer drugs
Tony Hunter
1979
QUESTION
How do cells know when to grow?
1998
DISCOVERY
Discovers tyrosine phosphorylation
2001
INNOVATION
More than 80 targeted cancer drugs are developed, including Gleevec
2025
HUMAN IMPACT
Cancer outcomes improve significantly for many patients
Treating cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and metabolic disorders
Ronald Evans
1983
QUESTION
How do hormones control our genes?
1985
DISCOVERY
Discovers nuclear hormone receptors
1990
INNOVATION
Entirely new approaches to treating cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and metabolic disease become possible
2025
HUMAN IMPACT
Drugs that target nuclear hormone receptors successfully treat cancers and autoimmune conditions
Making neurons throughout life
Rusty Gage
1995
QUESTION
Can the adult brain make new neurons?
1998
DISCOVERY
Finds evidence that the adult human brain retains the ability to generate new neurons throughout life
2001
INNOVATION
Changes our understanding of the brain
2025
HUMAN IMPACT
Opens new directions for treating Alzheimer’s disease, depression, age-related cognitive decline, and brain injury
Advancing brain health understanding and computational neuroscience
Terrence Sejnowski
1985
QUESTION
How does the brain process information?
1997
DISCOVERY
Uncovers fundamental principles of how the brain learns
2022
INNOVATION
Provides the architectural bedrock for deep learning, generative AI, and modern neuroscience
2025
HUMAN IMPACT
Fuels breakthroughs in both AI and brain health
What foundational questions are Salk scientists asking today?
Here’s how three Salk faculty are tackling today’s mysteries and shaping tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Lena Mueller, plant biologist
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTION
How do plants communicate with beneficial fungi in the soil?
FUTURE IMPACT
Unlocking new ways to reduce fertilizer use and strengthen crops in the face of environmental stress
Alan Saghatelian, molecular biologist
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTION
How do microproteins shape health and disease?
FUTURE IMPACT
Revealing new biomarkers and drug targets for treating cancer, aging, and metabolic disorders
Janelle Ayres, immunologist
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTION
Why do some people stay healthy even when exposed to stress and pathogens, while others succumb?
FUTURE IMPACT
Revolutionizing medicine by reframing “health” from a passive, default condition to an active biological process we can stimulate in patients