Biological Sciences
-
New player in neuronal communication
Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a novel mechanism for the development of dendritic spines – sites of nerve cell communication. Read MoreMay 1, 2015
-
New insight into how brain makes memories
Vanderbilt researchers have identified the role that a key protein associated with autism and the co-occurrence of alcohol dependency and depression plays in forming the spines that create new connections in the brain. Read MoreApr 23, 2015
-
Bordenstein receives grant to study bacterial infections passed from mother to offspring
Seth Bordenstein, associate professor of biological sciences and pathology, microbiology and immunology, has been awarded a $950,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for research into the regulation of bacterial infections that are passed from mother to offspring. Read MoreApr 10, 2015
-
‘Stretched’ cells promote cancer
Mechanical stress appears to be a critical factor in activating normal tissue-associated fibroblasts to generate cancer-associated fibroblasts. Read MoreFeb 19, 2015
-
Circadian clock – Angelman syndrome link established
Vanderbilt biologists have found a direct link between the biological clock and Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder that occurs in more than one in every 15,000 live births. The link may provide a valuable way to judge the effectiveness of the first experimental drugs under development for treating the syndrome. Read MoreFeb 5, 2015
-
New ‘reset’ button discovered for circadian clock
The discovery of a new "reset" button for the brain’s master biological clock could eventually lead to new treatments for seasonal affective disorder, reduce the adverse health effects of working the night shift, and possibly even treat jet lag. Read MoreFeb 2, 2015
-
The most popular research news stories of 2014
Electricity, learning, marijuana, outer space and planet Earth were the hot topics of 2014. Read MoreDec 26, 2014
-
Electric eels deliver Taser-like shocks
A Vanderbilt biologist has determined that electric eels possess an electroshock system uncannily similar to a Taser. Read MoreDec 4, 2014
-
Vanderbilt biologists contribute to major genetic study of malaria mosquitoes
Vanderbilt biologists played an important supporting role in a major genetic study of malaria-carrying mosquitoes published this week in the journal "Science." Read MoreNov 27, 2014
-
Life’s extremists may be an untapped source of antibacterial drugs
A family of single-celled organisms that thrive in environments too extreme for most other species to survive may be an untapped source of new antibacterial drugs. Read MoreNov 21, 2014
-
Vanderbilt’s neurovascular chip project moves into new phase
Vanderbilt researchers will play a key role in the second phase of the federal "tissue chip for drug screening" program. Read MoreNov 18, 2014
-
Two from Vanderbilt will partner with Brazilian researchers
Last spring, Vanderbilt entered into a partnership to foster collaborations between its faculty and researchers affiliated with universities in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. In the first year of this partnership, two proposals have been selected for funding. Read MoreNov 10, 2014
-
Vanderbilt doctoral thesis helps protect rare domestic sunflower
The doctoral thesis of former Vanderbilt graduate student Jennifer Ellis Mandel played a key role in protecting a rare domestic sunflower. Read MoreOct 23, 2014
-
Campus trees celebrated with new website, mobile device tours
Fall is the perfect time to learn more about the trees of Vanderbilt through a new website and mobile device-assisted tours. Read MoreOct 17, 2014
-
Mosquito facts and fictions
Mosquito researcher Jason Pitts collects interesting facts and stories about his research subjects, nature’s ultimate bioterrorists. Read MoreSep 9, 2014
-
Celebration honors nine new faculty chair holders
A Sept. 3 celebration at the Student Life Center honored nine new faculty chair holders and recognized the support of generous donors. Read MoreSep 5, 2014
-
Three researchers receive EAGER awards
Three Vanderbilt researchers have received an award designed to better understand how complex behaviors emerge from brain activity. Read MoreAug 22, 2014
-
Treatments for frog fungus
The fungicide amphotericin B may be a useful treatment for a frog fungus that is killing amphibians worldwide. Read MoreJul 25, 2014
-
Quanta Magazine: Evolving with a little help from our friends
Seth Bordenstein, associate professor of biological sciences, and graduate student Robert Brucker, discovered that the survival of a new hybrid of wasp depended not on their genes but on the microbes that naturally lived on and inside the insects. Read MoreJun 5, 2014
-
Repair protein’s DNA recognition motif
Insights into the workings of DNA damage response proteins such as SMARCAL1 could suggest new ways to improve genome integrity and prevent cancer. Read MoreMay 23, 2014