Biological Sciences
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Breaking the Mold: Kyle David’s research challenges ecological norms in yeast communities
Kyle David, an NSF postdoctoral fellow in the Rokas lab, and co-authors published a new paper, “Saccharomycotina yeasts defy longstanding macroecological patterns” in the high-impact journal PNAS. This paper, which looks at the ecology of 186 species of yeast, provides evidence that not all life-forms follow the rules. Read MoreMar 7, 2024
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Vanderbilt University biologists discover that rising temperature accelerates aging in mosquitoes, weakening their immune system
A study by Vanderbilt biology graduate student Lindsay Martin and Centennial Professor of Biological Sciences Julián Hillyer found that mosquitoes age more quickly when temperatures are higher. This aging, in turn, weakens the mosquito immune system and makes them more likely to get infected with disease. Read MoreJan 26, 2024
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New collaborative research project seeks improved treatment for cystic fibrosis
Lars Plate, assistant professor of chemistry and biological sciences, has received a $2.76 million collaborative grant to investigate medical therapy for people with cystic fibrosis. The interdisciplinary project brings together teams with varied expertise in computational structural biology, proteomics, biophysics, and physiology in hopes of improving the quality of life for those afflicted with the genetic disease. Read MoreNov 16, 2023
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Biological scientists find that external factors impact vaccine belief-behavior predictions
Widespread trust in vaccines often leads to higher vaccination rates, but vaccine shortages can deter even those with confidence in vaccines. Furthermore, while vaccine mandates can create an appearance of universal vaccination, people may remain hesitant, resulting in lower compliance than anticipated. Read MoreOct 5, 2023
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Five Vanderbilt graduate students selected as 2023-2024 SEC Emerging Scholars
The fellowship program is intended to serve as a pathway and source of mentorship for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across the Southeastern Conference to prepare them for tenured faculty positions. This cohort of Vanderbilt scholars will attend the upcoming 2023-24 SEC Emerging Scholars conference Oct. 1–4 at the University of Arkansas. Read MoreAug 4, 2023
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Evolutionary biologists determine that culture shapes genetics within, not just between, populations
Nicole Creanza and Yakov Pichkar explore whether subtle cultural differences within a language mirror genetic structure within a population. The answer: Even small cultural differences like dialect can influence the spread of people and genes. Read MoreJun 29, 2023
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Transmission of vaccine-hesitant beliefs among parents is a key predictor of vaccination coverage and disease risk among children
Vanderbilt biologists Nicole Creanza and Kerri-Ann Anderson have developed a new mathematical model, rooted in cultural evolution, that represents vaccine hesitancy as a belief that can influence, but not perfectly predict, whether parents will decide to vaccinate their children. Read MoreJun 20, 2023
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Amanda Lea and Wenhan Zhu named 2023 Pew Biomedical Scholars
Vanderbilt researchers Amanda Lea and Wenhan Zhu have been named 2023 Pew Biomedical Scholars. The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. Read MoreJun 14, 2023
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Harrison named Brighter Ventures Student Award recipient
Marie-Claire Harrison, a graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Brighter Ventures Student Award. The Brighter Ventures Student Award supports Ph.D. students interested in the application of artificial intelligence in the biomedical research field. Read MoreMay 31, 2023
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Study establishes molecular basis for interaction between an essential protein complex and its regulator
The labs of Lauren Jackson and Todd Graham recently published a study in the Journal of Cell Biology describing a significant interaction between an essential protein complex used for protein and lipid transport—the COPI complex—and its regulator protein. Read MoreMay 24, 2023
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Vanderbilt Team finds Evolutionary Support for Induced Defenses
Graduate student Reese Martin and his doctoral advisor, Ann Tate, assistant professor of biological sciences, used theoretical modeling to identify a potential relationship between genetic pleiotropy and the evolution of immune responses. Read MoreApr 13, 2023
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Vanderbilt researcher finds evidence for ant caste systems driven by chemo-sensing responses
Stephen Ferguson, first-author of a new paper with his postdoctoral advisor, Laurence Zwiebel, along with two undergraduates associated with the lab, Isaac Bakis and Nicholas Edwards, confirmed the existence of a specialized soldier caste within an ant species. Read MoreApr 3, 2023
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Lars Plate wins Scialog Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and USDA
For his work on zoonotic threat mitigation, Lars Plate was awarded $50,000 from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read MoreJan 17, 2023
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Career Conversations: Q&A with Structural Biologist Lauren Parker Jackson
“A confusing experimental result almost always means you’ve stumbled upon something interesting and maybe even exciting. I think that’s what makes science fun,” says Lauren Parker Jackson, assistant professor of biological sciences. Read MoreJan 12, 2023
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VU graduate student examines Aspergillus genus virulence as part of multi-university study
Annie Hatmaker, along with a team of researchers including her adviser, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences Antonis Rokas, recently published a study identifying the differences in virulence among Aspergillus species, a common human-pathogenic genus of fungi. Read MoreDec 7, 2022
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Vanderbilt biologists discover genetic pathways linking the immune and circulatory systems of mosquitoes during infection
Julián F. Hillyer, professor of biological sciences, and his research team discovered how mosquito immune and circulatory systems are related. This work may lead to the development of novel strategies that protect beneficial insects or harm detrimental ones. Read MoreSep 7, 2022
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Lea named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar for outstanding early-career research and pursuit of interdisciplinary science
Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named to the 2022–24 cohort of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Azrieli Global Scholars in recognition of her outstanding early-career research and interdisciplinary work. Lea’s research interests span evolutionary biology, genomics and human health. Read MoreJun 17, 2022
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The Hunger Games: E.coli Edition demonstrates how mutualism and cooperative behavior shape species
Vanderbilt and Arizona State University microbiologists explore the effects of feast and famine cycles on E. coli, providing insight into how the bacterial communities that reside in our guts, with our crops, in lakes and streams, and beyond become so complex. Read MoreJun 9, 2022
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Research Snapshot: Discovery of mosquito survival tactics leaves room for new disease vector control tactics
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria represent an ongoing global health crisis of (literally) biblical proportions. LJ Zwiebel has identified the biological factors that help female mosquitos mate, suck blood and sense environmental threats. Est. reading time: 1.5 mins. Read MoreJun 1, 2022
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Amanda Lea named 2022 Searle Scholar, wins $300K to pursue research on effect of early-life environments on human health
Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named a 2022 Searle Scholar, an honor bestowed on 15 exceptional young faculty in the biomedical sciences and chemistry. Lea will receive $300,000 in flexible funding to support her work over the next three years. Read MoreMay 20, 2022