Biochemistry
-
Vanderbilt biochemists contribute to breakthrough discovery of first new antibacterial class in decades
Led by Neil Osheroff, Vanderbilt researchers are the first to undertake a systematic analysis of the mechanism of action of gepotidacin, a first-in-class triazaacenaphthylene antibacterial, against its targets in Escherichia coli—the type II topoisomerases gyrase and topoisomerase IV—and the mechanistic basis for drug resistance. E. coli is the etiological agent of most urinary tract infections. Read MoreMar 28, 2024
-
Taking a bite out of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: Vanderbilt professors search for a cure
Vanderbilt University Professor of Biochemistry and Vice Dean of Basic Sciences Chuck Sanders and Professor of Biochemistry Bruce Carter have been hard at work searching for therapies, if not a cure, for CMT. Read MoreMar 20, 2024
-
Vanderbilt biochemists discover breakthrough evolution-resistant compound to combat antibiotic resistance
Vanderbilt scientist Houra Merrikh led a team of researchers who discovered the first evolution-resistant chemical compound that prevents drug resistance development in bacteria. The compound is also a drug development platform that targets antimicrobial resistance during treatment of infections with antibiotics and evolution in general, Merrikh said. Read MoreMar 1, 2024
-
Guengerich proposes paradigm shift in enzyme biochemistry
The lab of Professor of Biochemistry Fred Guengerich has proposed a paradigm shift in the understanding of a critical chemical reaction involved in sterol biosynthesis. Read MoreFeb 27, 2024
-
Vanderbilt biochemists discover breakthrough anti-evolution compound to combat antibiotic resistance
The World Health Organization ranks antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten global health risks. Vanderbilt researchers led by Houra Merrikh identified the first anti-evolution compound that targets AMR during treatment of infections with antibiotics. Read MoreFeb 26, 2024
-
Osheroff receives Distinguished Teacher Award from Association of American Medical Colleges
As a professor of biochemistry and medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for more than 40 years, Osheroff is the longest serving course director currently teaching medical students. He also codirects the preclerkship phase of the medical school curriculum and leads the Master Science Teachers cohort, a role established in 2007 to recognize VUSM’s outstanding basic science educators. Through his teaching, he has helped medical students at VUSM and across the globe acquire the basic science skills and knowledge they need to thrive in clinical practice, according to the AAMC. Read MoreOct 31, 2023
-
Biochemist Martin Egli elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
For his outstanding achievements, including investigations directed at nucleic acid structure, DNA bypass polymerases and the circadian clock, Martin Egli has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. The academy is dedicated to innovative research, interdisciplinary and transnational collaboration. Read MoreOct 25, 2023
-
Vanderbilt scientists, research translation experts attend CMT Global Research Convention
School of Medicine Basic Sciences researchers at the forefront of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease research and therapeutic development join CTTC leadership at CMT Research Foundation global research convention. The CMTRF has invested in further research at Vanderbilt to address the primary genetic cause of disease in patients with CMT disease type 1A. Read MoreSep 29, 2023
-
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to support research led by Houra Merrikh, PhD, professor of Biochemistry, and Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, the Benjamin F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and director of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, to create an anti-evolution drug to reduce the capacity of cancer cells to develop resistance. Read MoreSep 5, 2023
-
Basic Sciences names Hodges, Siciliano as Dean’s Faculty Fellows
Emily Hodges, assistant professor of biochemistry, and Cody Siciliano, assistant professor of pharmacology, have been named Dean’s Faculty Fellows of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read MoreAug 21, 2023
-
School of Medicine’s Neil Osheroff wins prestigious MILES Award
Neil Osheroff, John G. Coniglio Chair in Biochemistry and professor of biochemistry and medicine, received the Mentoring, Innovation, and Leadership in Educational Scholarship Award at the annual Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference that took place in May. Read MoreJul 12, 2023
-
Osheroff wins prestigious MILES Award
Neil Osheroff received the Mentoring, Innovation, and Leadership in Educational Scholarship Award at the annual Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference that took place in May. Read MoreJul 7, 2023
-
Study establishes molecular basis for interaction between an essential protein complex and its regulator
The labs of Lauren Jackson and Todd Graham recently published a study in the Journal of Cell Biology describing a significant interaction between an essential protein complex used for protein and lipid transport—the COPI complex—and its regulator protein. Read MoreMay 24, 2023
-
Three Vanderbilt students named 2023 Goldwater Scholars
Vanderbilt students Rincon Jagarlamudi, Haoli Yin and Madison Albert have been named 2023 Barry A. Goldwater Scholars. The program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Read MoreMay 15, 2023
-
Research Snapshot: DNA replication discovery opens pathways to understanding and treating cancer, aging and degenerative disease
An international collaboration led by biochemist David Cortez reached revelatory conclusions in exploration of how cells tolerate DNA damage and genome instability. Est. reading time: 2 mins. Read MoreMay 2, 2023
-
Vanderbilt and Bruker establish first of its kind Mass Spectrometry Center of Excellence
Vanderbilt and Bruker Daltonics are collaborating to establish a Mass Spectrometry Center of Excellence with four state-of-the-art mass spectrometers to advance biomedical research and discovery. Read MoreMay 2, 2023
-
CMT Research Foundation invests in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine to advance research for CMT1A
The CMT Research Foundation, a non-profit focused solely on delivering treatments and cures for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease*, has invested in a project at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences that seeks to treat the problem of overproduction of PMP22, the primary genetic cause of CMT in patients with CMT1A. Read MoreApr 4, 2023
-
Wagner, emeritus professor of biochemistry and longtime nutritional science researcher, has died
Conrad Wagner, professor emeritus of biochemistry at Vanderbilt who conducted foundational research in nutritional science for more than half a century at the university, died March 13 in Nashville. Read MoreMar 20, 2023
-
Inagami, emeritus professor of biochemistry and cardiovascular research pioneer, has died
Tadashi Inagami, a professor emeritus of biochemistry at Vanderbilt who helped characterize the biochemical basis for hypertension, heart failure and vascular disease, died March 13 after a brief illness. He was 92. Read MoreMar 16, 2023
-
Sanders promoted to vice dean of Basic Sciences
Chuck Sanders, Aileen M. Lange and Annie Mary Lyle Chair of Cardiovascular Research and professor of biochemistry and medicine, has recently been promoted from associate dean for research to vice dean of the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read MoreMar 9, 2023