Basic Sciences

Lawrence J. Marnett, who has served as dean of Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine Basic Sciences since its creation in 2016 and has led its dramatic ascension as one of the nation’s top biomedical research and doctoral programs, will step down as dean effective June 30, 2022. Read More

Appello Pharmaceuticals Inc. begins trial of a drug candidate that improves relief from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease without debilitating side effects. Read More

Vanderbilt scientists Katherine Aboud, PhD’19, Breann Brown and Will Wan, PhD’14, have received 2021 National Institutes of Health Director’s Awards for their unconventional, bold approaches to research that advances knowledge and enhances health. Read More

Steven Townsend, associate professor of chemistry, and Fang Yan, research professor of pediatrics and cell and development biology, have discovered how a sugar in human breast milk mitigates damage to the small intestines caused by chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Read More

Houra Merrikh, professor of biochemistry, and Teru Nakagawa, associate professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, have both been selected to receive one-year research awards from the Stanley Cohen Innovation Fund. The awards will support groundbreaking and paradigm-shifting research. Read More

Four-time Grammy Award-winning musician Jason Isbell spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on addiction and sobriety and the intersection of sobriety, addiction and music in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences' Lab-to-Table Conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at noon CT. Read More

Jeffrey Conn, Lee E. Limbird Chair and professor of pharmacology, is among 16 scientists named 2021 fellows of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Selection as a fellow of ASPET is an honor bestowed on members who have demonstrated excellence in their efforts to advance pharmacology through scientific achievements, mentorship and service to the society. Read More

More than 100 incoming biomedical science Ph.D. students participated in the Simple Beginnings lab coat ceremony held Sept. 3 in Light Hall. The annual tradition welcomes new doctoral students to the School of Medicine and presents them with personalized white lab coats, a classic symbol of scientific training. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences has named Felysha Jenkins as its first diversity, equity and inclusion program manager. Read More

Discovery shows that dopamine is not a reward molecule at all, calling for revision of textbook facts regarding the hormone’s role in the brain. Est. reading time: 3.5 mins. Read More

The School of Medicine Basic Sciences' monthly Lab-to-Table Conversation will discuss the science of marijuana and the current legal context for its use on Thursday, Sept. 23, beginning at noon CT. Read More

Digna R. Velez Edwards, Julie Rhoades (Sterling) and Henrique Serezani comprise the new leadership team for the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences' Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity. IMSD recruits and supports biomedical trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in science during their graduate careers. Read More

MuSyC is a technique to help researchers devise new combinations of drugs. An open-source analysis tool, it holds the promise speed such discoveries around the world. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a potential way to reduce atherosclerosis: blocking the modification of an HDL-associated enzyme by reactive molecules called isolevuglandins. Read More

Paige Vega, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, has been selected as the 2021 Vanderbilt Prize Student Scholar. Read More

Join the School of Medicine Basic Sciences’ monthly Lab-to-Table series for a conversation with former Tour de France and Olympic athletes about science and cycling. The discussion will touch on the athletes’ personal experiences with training, coaching and medicine in cycling and how biomedical science has shaped their efforts. The virtual event will be Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. CT. Read More

Lisa Monteggia leads discovery of the gene responsible for ketamine’s long-term effects with implications for antidepressant therapeutics. Est. reading time: 2.5 mins. Read More

Pioneering research from Vanderbilt scientists discovers the mechanism by which epithelial cells first find and react to wounds. Est. reading time: 3 mins. Read More

David Miller and Seth Taylor push genetic research forward by leading the completion of a gene expression atlas for the entire nervous system of the nematode C. elegans Est. reading time: 1.5 mins. Read More

Vanderbilt biochemists have discovered that the protein RADX has different biological effects at sites of DNA synthesis, depending on the cellular conditions — even though it works the same way in both stressed and unstressed cells. Read More