Basic Sciences
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New clue to Alzheimer’s disease
Combining studies of genetically diverse mouse populations and human data led to the identification of a gene associated with cognitive decline and brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Read MoreSep 3, 2020
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Assembling cell power plant machinery
Tina Iverson and colleagues provide a structural view into the assembly of a protein machine essential for cellular energy production. Read MoreSep 3, 2020
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Salt, immune cells and hypertension
Excess dietary salt activates immune cells to induce inflammation and hypertension, supporting current recommendations for low sodium consumption. Read MoreAug 20, 2020
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A “torque” for tumor blood vessels
Vanderbilt scientists have discovered a new target for normalizing tumor blood vessels to improve cancer immunotherapies. Read MoreAug 20, 2020
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A potential new targeted therapy for metastatic melanoma
While 60 percent of people with metastatic melanoma, an aggressive type of skin cancer, have multiple treatment options available to them, roughly 40 percent either do not respond to treatment, or relapse. Read MoreAug 19, 2020
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The importance of estrogen cycles
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. Read MoreAug 6, 2020
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Turning Heads: The Vanderbilt Brain Institute has emerged as a hub of discovery as neuroscience’s influence expands
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. Read MoreAug 5, 2020
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Siciliano wins Fay/Frank Seed Grant and Alkermes Pathways Research Award
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 MoreAug 5, 2020
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Read inaugural issue of ‘Vestigo,’ new publication by School of Medicine Basic Sciences
"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. Read MoreJul 23, 2020
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Cellular antiviral defenses
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. Read MoreJul 23, 2020
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The discovery of a ‘negative regulator’ in the brain alters understanding of brain function and potential treatment of cognitive disorders
Terunaga Nakagawa and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute discover new qualities of GSG1L, responsible for activity in the anterior thalamus. Read MoreJul 21, 2020
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Get to know Vanderbilt’s residential faculty: Professor Alyssa Hasty
As the new academic year gets underway, Vanderbilt’s faculty heads of house are revealing some things about themselves in this special portrait series. Get to know Alyssa Hasty, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and faculty head of Murray House. Read MoreJul 17, 2020
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New tools to study bioactive lipids
Vanderbilt researchers have identified and characterized inhibitors of an enzyme that synthesizes lipid signaling molecules with roles in energy balance, inflammation and addiction. Read MoreJul 14, 2020
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Keeping beta cells “fit”
Vanderbilt cell biologists are defining the factors that help beta cells in the pancreas stay healthy, secrete insulin and prevent diabetes initiation and progression. Read MoreJul 9, 2020
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Leadership in a COVID-19 world
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. Read MoreJun 29, 2020
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Single mutation causes seizure disorder
A single mutation in one gene can impair inhibitory signaling in the brain and cause multiple types of seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Read MoreJun 22, 2020
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Probing DNA damage repair
After discovering a new mechanism for DNA damage repair last year, Vanderbilt biochemists now provide direct evidence for how it works. Read MoreJun 18, 2020
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Studying cells in reduced dimensions
Vanderbilt cell biologists have developed an unbiased, quantitative framework for evaluating single-cell data. Read MoreJun 18, 2020
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Vanderbilt University partners with ACADIA Pharmaceuticals to develop novel treatments for central nervous system disorders
Vanderbilt University’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement with San Diego-based ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. to develop treatments for disorders like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. Read MoreJun 16, 2020
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Leader in Vanderbilt drug discovery efforts, Craig Lindsley named interim editor-in-chief of ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
Craig Lindsley, William K. Warren, Jr. Chair in Medicine and university professor of biochemistry, chemistry and pharmacology, has been named interim editor-in-chief of the journal "ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science." Read MoreJun 12, 2020