Biological Sciences
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Bordenstein honored by Genetics Society of America
The Genetics Society of America has recognized Seth Bordenstein, an evolutionary geneticist and microbiologist at Vanderbilt, for an initiative that brings real-world scientific research into middle school, high school and college biology classes. Read MoreFeb 27, 2020
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Where are the quokkas? New study explains what happened to the “happiest animal in the world”
The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is an example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country’s harsh surroundings. In a new study, researchers at Vanderbilt University demonstrate evidence for the dramatic decline of quokkas over the past century. Read MoreFeb 21, 2020
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How ants get angry: Precise “lock and key” process regulates aggression, acceptance
In a new study, scientists at Vanderbilt report definitive evidence of a mechanism within ants that is responsible for unlocking aggression. The research—the first to pinpoint this mechanism and its precise role in ant biology—reports a social characteristic which could help account for their evolutionary success. Read MoreFeb 3, 2020
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Carter, professor of biological sciences, emeritus, has died
Clint E. Carter, an emeritus professor of biological sciences whose research focused on immunology and tropical diseases, died Nov. 9. Carter is being remembered by former colleagues and students for his unfailing kindness and warmth. Read MoreNov 22, 2019
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Research team sorts out drug screen false positive results
Vanderbilt investigators have identified 13 previously unknown drug compounds that cause false positive screenings for amphetamines, buprenorphine (an opioid), cannabinoids and methadone. Read MoreOct 2, 2019
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Faculty named to Chancellor’s Public Voices Fellowship for spring 2020
Tony Capra, Lisa Fazio and Renã A.S. Robinson have been selected as Chancellor’s Public Voices Fellows for the spring 2020 semester. Read MoreSep 26, 2019
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Zebrafish aid effort to regenerate damaged retinas
According to a new study, the tiny zebrafish may hold the secret to regenerating damaged retinas in humans. Read MoreSep 5, 2019
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Rokas to lead budding cross-disciplinary collaboration on evolutionary studies
The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative seeks to position the university as a global leader in evolutionary studies by engaging a large group of scholars who share this research interest. Read MoreAug 14, 2019
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Team’s study reveals details of new DNA repair pathway
Investigators have discovered how a DNA repair pathway protein shields sites of damage to avoid mutations and maintain genome integrity. Read MoreJul 25, 2019
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I Am Vanderbilt: Jonathan Ertelt
The Vanderbilt greenhouses are a lush, light-filled retreat in the heart of campus, and Jonathan Ertelt is charged with making sure each of their inhabitants thrives. Read MoreJul 16, 2019
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Dean Whittier, professor of biological sciences, emeritus, has died
Dean P. Whittier, an emeritus professor of biological sciences at Vanderbilt and an internationally known researcher on the biology of ferns, died May 29. He was 83. Read MoreJun 27, 2019
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Six new endowed chairs from Medicine, A&S, Owen and Law School honored
Vanderbilt’s six newest endowed chairs were honored by colleagues, university leaders, family members and donors at a ceremony on April 30 in the Student Life Center. Read MoreMay 3, 2019
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Yohn named Postdoc of the Year at annual symposium; Sappington named Mentor of the Year
Postdoctoral scholars Samantha Yohn and Anneke Sanders and ophthalmology professor Rebecca Sappington were honored by the Graduate School at the 13th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association Symposium on April 9. Read MoreApr 22, 2019
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Graduate student condenses energy research to take top prize at Three Minute Thesis competition
For the seventh straight year, Vanderbilt graduate students competed March 29 to summarize years of research and discovery into a clear three-minute presentation as part of the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Read MoreApr 5, 2019
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How attracting multiple mates affects flirting fads in birds
For many species, extravagant displays are a critical part of attracting a mate. Think of a peacock’s long tail or a songbird’s elaborate melody. When considering these populations, scientists at Vanderbilt University wondered if they could use new methods to test a theory that has been around for almost 150… Read MoreFeb 22, 2019
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Rokas elected to American Academy of Microbiology
Antonis Rokas, who holds the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Biological Sciences, has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. He was among the 109 new fellows welcomed by the academy in 2019. Read MoreFeb 6, 2019
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Faculty selected as Chancellor’s Public Voices Fellows for fall 2019
Hiba Baroud, Jeffrey Bennett and Suzana Herculano-Houzel have been named to the first cohort of the Chancellor’s Public Voices Fellowship, a semester-long program designed to expand Vanderbilt’s global reach by amplifying the impact of faculty academic research. Read MoreJan 30, 2019
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School for Science and Math students place in national competition
Three members of the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt’s senior class are semifinalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Read MoreJan 9, 2019
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Today’s budding yeasts shed traits from their 400-million-year-old ancestor
Evolutionary biologists decoded the genomes of nearly a third of known budding yeast species, allowing them to reconstruct an ancient parent’s metabolic characteristics. Read MoreNov 8, 2018
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Karate kicks keep cockroaches from becoming zombies, wasp chow
Far from being a weak-willed sap easily paralyzed by the emerald jewel wasp’s sting to the brain, the cockroach can deliver a stunning karate kick that saves its life, biologist Ken Catania has found. Read MoreOct 31, 2018