Basic Sciences
The importance of estrogen cycles
Aug. 6, 2020—Deborah Lannigan and colleagues identify a key regulator of the estrogen receptor and suggest that its downregulation by oral contraceptives may increase oxidative stress and DNA damage, a common cause of cancer.
Turning Heads: The Vanderbilt Brain Institute has emerged as a hub of discovery as neuroscience’s influence expands
Aug. 5, 2020—The VBI recently marked its 20th anniversary, a span that has seen the institute’s wide-ranging missions—including administering the university’s Neuroscience Graduate Program, as well as postdoctoral training and community outreach—steadily coalesce under a single umbrella.
Siciliano wins Fay/Frank Seed Grant and Alkermes Pathways Research Award
Aug. 5, 2020—Assistant Professor of Pharmacology Cody Siciliano has been awarded the Fay/Frank Seed Grant from the Brain Research Foundation and the Alkermes Pathways Research Award from the biopharmaceutical company Alkermes. Both awards support early-stage researchers pursuing high-risk, high-impact innovative research so that their work may become competitive for NIH grants and other types of funding in the future.
Read inaugural issue of ‘Vestigo,’ new publication by School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Jul. 23, 2020—"Vestigo," a new publication by the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, provides an in-depth view of research happening in the Vanderbilt community, highlights trainee accomplishments and celebrates the success of Basic Sciences faculty.
Cellular antiviral defenses
Jul. 23, 2020—A cellular RNA quality control mechanism was known to restrict replication of RNA viruses. Vanderbilt researchers have discovered it is also antiviral against DNA viruses.
The discovery of a ‘negative regulator’ in the brain alters understanding of brain function and potential treatment of cognitive disorders
Jul. 21, 2020—Terunaga Nakagawa and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute discover new qualities of GSG1L, responsible for activity in the anterior thalamus.
New tools to study bioactive lipids
Jul. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt researchers have identified and characterized inhibitors of an enzyme that synthesizes lipid signaling molecules with roles in energy balance, inflammation and addiction.
Keeping beta cells “fit”
Jul. 9, 2020—Vanderbilt cell biologists are defining the factors that help beta cells in the pancreas stay healthy, secrete insulin and prevent diabetes initiation and progression.
Leadership in a COVID-19 world
Jun. 29, 2020—Being a biomedical scientist has served Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente well as she’s led the university through “a rapid succession of significant decisions” since the first reports of COVID-19.
Single mutation causes seizure disorder
Jun. 22, 2020—A single mutation in one gene can impair inhibitory signaling in the brain and cause multiple types of seizures and behavioral abnormalities.
Probing DNA damage repair
Jun. 18, 2020—After discovering a new mechanism for DNA damage repair last year, Vanderbilt biochemists now provide direct evidence for how it works.
Studying cells in reduced dimensions
Jun. 18, 2020—Vanderbilt cell biologists have developed an unbiased, quantitative framework for evaluating single-cell data.