Irvine, Calif., March 30, 2026 — A new study from researchers in the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior at the UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences is shedding light on one of the most fundamental and fragile human abilities: memory. From learning in school to navigating daily life, memory shapes who we are. Yet for millions of people affected by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological disorders, memory can slowly fade, with few effective treatments available. Understanding how memories form at the most basic level remains one of the most urgent challenges in neuroscience.
In a paper published in Cell Reports, researchers led by Professor Marcelo Wood and first author Franklin Garcia uncover a key piece of this puzzle. Their work reveals how a single protein known as CREST acts as a central switch in the brain, helping determine whether experiences are successfully stored as long-term memories.
The team focused on the hippocampus, a region of the brain essential for forming memories. Using a combination of behavioral experiments in mice, genetic tools and advanced computational modeling, they explored how CREST functions during learning. Rather than simply being “on” or “off,” CREST was found to act more like a dial, capable of strengthening or weakening memory depending on how it is regulated.
To test this, the researchers made precise changes to a single site within the CREST protein. These subtle modifications had striking effects. In some cases, memory formation was impaired, making it harder for subjects to retain new information. In others, even weak learning experiences — ones that normally wouldn’t be remembered — were transformed into lasting memories.
This discovery points to CREST as a powerful control point in the brain’s memory system. As Professor Wood explained, “Memory formation is essential for life. Memories define us, help us learn from our past, and allow us to predict the future. Thus, identifying the molecular mechanisms that are pivotal for long-term memory formation is critically important. Once these mechanisms have been accurately identified, then we can begin to design better therapeutic strategies for aiding memory formation.” He went on to emphasize the importance of CREST itself, noting that the protein serves as a bridge between two major molecular systems in neurons that control how genes are turned on and off in the brain, positioning it as a uniquely influential player in memory.
The study also highlights the perseverance and innovation required to reach these findings. The project took nearly eight years to complete, with early approaches failing to reveal how CREST worked. It was Franklin Garcia, an assistant project scientist in the Wood lab, who helped unlock the breakthrough by turning to novel approaches. Reflecting on this effort, Wood said, “This was an exceptionally difficult project that took nearly eight years to complete. There were major hurdles in trying to develop the tools to study the role of CREST in long-term memory formation. The typical approaches failed. Thus, Dr. Franklin Garcia used in silico modeling software to identify potential amino acids in the CREST protein that could point to how CREST itself is activated or silenced.” This strategy ultimately revealed the mechanism that allows CREST to either promote or inhibit memory formation.
Beyond explaining how memories form, the research opens new doors for treating disease. The CREST gene has already been linked to ALS and certain intellectual and developmental disorders, suggesting that disruptions in this pathway may contribute to cognitive decline. By identifying how CREST regulates memory — and the specific genes it controls — the study provides a roadmap for developing therapies that could restore or enhance memory function.
Wood also pointed to exciting new directions for future research, particularly in understanding how memory connects to broader biological systems. “These target genes reveal new avenues to explore,” he said, describing how CREST appears to influence both how the brain records experiences and how it manages energy. These findings hint at a deeper connection between memory, metabolism and long-term brain health.
Ultimately, this research represents more than a scientific advance; it offers hope. By uncovering how the brain converts experience into lasting memory, scientists are getting closer to interventions that could help people retain their independence, identity and quality of life.
Continued investment in neuroscience research will be critical to turning these discoveries into real-world solutions. As studies like this demonstrate, breakthroughs often come from years of persistence, collaboration and public support. With sustained commitment from researchers, policymakers and the broader community, the future of memory science — and the millions of lives it could impact — has never looked more promising.
About the University of California, Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences:
Recognized for its pioneering research and academic excellence, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences plays a crucial role in the university’s status among the nation’s top 10 public universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. It offers a broad spectrum of degree programs in the biological sciences, fostering innovation and preparing students for leadership in research, education, medicine and industry. Nestled in a globally acclaimed and economically vibrant community, the school contributes to the university’s impact as Orange County’s largest employer and a significant economic contributor. Through its commitment to exploring life’s complexities, the Dunlop School embodies the UC Irvine legacy of innovation and societal impact. For more on the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, visit https://www.bio.uci.edu/.