Biological Sciences
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Vanderbilt evolutionary biologist makes finals of a national award for young scientists
Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor in Biological Sciences Antonis Rokas has been selected as a finalist for the $250,000 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists Read MoreJun 6, 2017
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Faculty committee proposes plan for investment in graduate education and research
Following a collaborative rapid cycle process, an ad hoc faculty committee has released a report identifying four proposed thematic areas for future investment in graduate education and research at Vanderbilt. Read MoreJun 1, 2017
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Webb, mentor to students in the biological sciences, has died
Donna J. Webb, professor of biological sciences and of cancer biology who mentored graduate students and undergraduate researchers in the Department of Biological Sciences and served on the Steering Committee of the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program, died May 15. Read MoreMay 31, 2017
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Class of 2017: Jarrod Shilts makes biological discoveries and collaborates across disciplines
When Boston native Jarrod Shilts arrived at Vanderbilt, he brought with him a strong interest in synthetic biology—a discipline devoted to designing and creating biological molecules that don’t exist in the natural world and using them to redesign existing biological systems. Read MoreMay 3, 2017
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Wisecaver named Vanderbilt ‘Postdoc of the Year’
Accomplished postdocs and faculty "Mentor of the Year" honored at annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association and Shared Resources Symposium April 19. Read MoreApr 21, 2017
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New method for tapping vast plant pharmacopeia to make more effective drugs
Geneticists have developed an effective new method for identifying the genes that produce the chemicals plants use to protect themselves from predators, which are an important natural drug source. Read MoreApr 14, 2017
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A new mode of DNA repair
Structural details of a protein that removes DNA lesions shed light on fundamental mechanisms of DNA repair. Read MoreApr 14, 2017
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Forget sponges: the earliest animals were marine jellies
A powerful new method has been devised to settle contentious phylogenetic tree-of-life issues. such as "What is the oldest branch of the animal family tree?" Read MoreApr 10, 2017
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Fish eyes may hold key to regenerating human retinas
Research into retinal regeneration in zebrafish has identified a signal that appears to trigger the self-repair process, raising the possibility of inducing retinal repair in human eyes. Read MoreMar 9, 2017
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New tool for combating mosquito-borne disease: insect parasite genes
Genes used by the insect parasite Wolbachia to control its hosts' reproduction can be used to help control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika and malaria. Read MoreFeb 27, 2017
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Amount of daylight may impact serotonin programming
The duration of exposure to daylight, or the “photoperiod,” may affect development of seasonal affective disorder by programming serotonin neurons in the brain, according to Vanderbilt University researchers. Read MoreJan 19, 2017
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Research that ruled in 2016: Readers’ favorite stories
Artificial kidneys, gay-straight alliances and junkyard batteries captured readers' attention in 2016. Read MoreDec 16, 2016
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Vanderbilt earns top rankings, including a No. 1, for successful minority recruitment in master’s and Ph.D. programs
"Diverse: Issues In Higher Education" has ranked Vanderbilt University No. 1 in the country for the number of doctoral degrees awarded to African Americans in the biological and biomedical sciences. Read MoreDec 12, 2016
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Blood-brain barrier on a chip sheds new light on “silent killer”
A new microfluidic device containing human cells that faithfully mimics the behavior of the blood-brain barrier is providing new insights into brain inflammation, the silent killer. Read MoreDec 6, 2016
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Each animal species hosts a unique microbial community and benefits from it
A laboratory study of four animal species and their microbiota finds that each species hosts a unique community of microbes that can significantly improve its health and fitness. Read MoreNov 28, 2016
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Bioluminescent sensor causes brain cells to glow in the dark
A team of Vanderbilt scientists have genetically modified luciferase, the enzyme that produces bioluminescence, so that it acts as an optical sensor that records activity in brain cells. Read MoreOct 27, 2016
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Virus carrying DNA of black widow spider toxin discovered
DNA related to black widow spider toxin been discovered in a phage that infects the bacterial parasite Wolbachia. It is the first time animal-like DNA has been found in a bacterial virus. Read MoreOct 11, 2016
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Discovery of male-harming DNA mutation reinforces ‘mother’s curse’ hypothesis
There is new evidence that the "mother’s curse" – the possibility that moms may transmit genes to their children that harm their sons but not their daughters – holds true in animals. Read MoreAug 2, 2016
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These days, fecal transplantation is no joke
Fecal transplants are increasingly being used to treat certain human illnesses and more scientists have begun to research the transplants' effects in animals. Read MoreJul 12, 2016
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When mitochondrial genes act up
A team of Vanderbilt scientists have identified some of the methods that mutant mitochondrial DNA use to circumvent the molecular mechanisms that cells use to regulate mitochondrial activity. Read MoreJul 12, 2016