Health and Medicine
Vanderbilt-led team discovers new genetic disease and defines underlying mechanism
Jan. 13, 2020—An international research team has discovered a new genetic syndrome caused by mutation of a single gene and named it CATIFA, an acronym for its core symptoms.
Zinc uptake by a deadly pathogen
Jan. 13, 2020—The increasingly antibiotic-resistant bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii requires zinc to cause infection, and Vanderbilt researchers have identified the zinc uptake system it uses.
Study links Medicaid expansion and recipients’ health status
Jan. 10, 2020—In Southern states that expanded their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, adults experienced lower rates of decline in both physical and mental health, according to a new Vanderbilt analysis.
Impact of weight gain from early to middle adulthood explored
Jan. 10, 2020—A new analysis finds that people who become overweight in midlife have significantly higher rates of obesity-linked cancers.
Bone matrix changes during aging
Jan. 10, 2020—Changes to the bone matrix that occur during aging may point to novel targets for treating osteoporosis.
Structural views of a C. diff toxin
Jan. 10, 2020—D. Borden Lacy and colleagues used cryo-electron microscopy to define the structure of a C. diff toxin, providing a framework for the design of novel therapeutics.
Kavalali receives Humboldt Research Award
Dec. 31, 2019—Ege T. Kavalali, PhD, professor and acting chair of the Department of Pharmacology in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has been elected a recipient of a prestigious Humboldt Research Award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany.
Music takes engineering major into the lab and across the country
Dec. 18, 2019—When biomedical engineering major Brett Koolik first started learning piano as a child, he wasn't motivated solely by his love of music. He also wanted to figure out how a piano works.
Cell fate signaling
Dec. 17, 2019—A newly identified protein interaction that affects cell cycle regulation may be an attractive target for cancer therapy.
Protein dynamics in the beating heart
Dec. 16, 2019—To study the dynamics of structural proteins in the heart, Vanderbilt investigators generated a cellular tool they expect will be useful for screening drugs that affect heart muscle contraction.
VUMC-led team isolates antibody that blocks bird flu
Dec. 12, 2019—VUMC scientists are redoubling their efforts to help people fight off bird flu. Their focus is H7N9, one of the most dangerous of the influenza viruses that have been transmitted from birds to humans.
A new anti-seizure target?
Dec. 12, 2019—Vanderbilt neurologists have identified a protein modification that could be targeted to reduce neuronal excitability in epilepsy.