Department of Pharmacology
Study explores potential new class of antidepressants
Nov. 21, 2019—Researchers at VUMC have taken a major step that could ultimately facilitate development of a new class of antidepressants which may relieve symptoms more rapidly and effectively and with fewer side effects than current medications.
Team discovers one more piece to the autism puzzle
Oct. 3, 2019—Vanderbilt investigators have linked genetic mutations in a single receptor to epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability.
Guengerich, Sanders-Bush named ASPET fellows
Sep. 20, 2019—Vanderbilt University’s F. Peter (Fred) Guengerich, PhD, and Elaine Sanders-Bush, PhD, are among 22 prominent scientists named this week to the inaugural class of fellows of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).
A probiotic treatment for obesity?
Aug. 8, 2019—Engineered bacteria that produce beneficial compounds — and that could potentially be administered in foods like yogurt — may be a future treatment for obesity and other chronic diseases.
Defective transporter linked to autism
Jul. 24, 2019—A first-of-its-kind mouse model may help reveal mechanistic underpinnings for the altered behaviors of autism spectrum disorder.
Potassium balance and glaucoma
Jul. 15, 2019—Vanderbilt Eye Institute researchers have discovered that an imbalance in the ionic environment of retinal ganglion cells may contribute to functional impairments in glaucoma.
Yohn named Postdoc of the Year at annual symposium; Sappington named Mentor of the Year
Apr. 22, 2019—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.
The arrestin-GPCR connection
Apr. 12, 2019—Vsevolod Gurevich and colleagues have discovered new insights into arrestin proteins, which turn off a cell's environmental message "inbox."
Reprogramming cells for kidney repair
Mar. 14, 2019—Lauren Woodard and Matthew Wilson have discovered a way to reprogram adult human kidney cells into cells similar to those that form during embryonic development, which could lead to new kidney disease treatments.
New way to stimulate learning?
Mar. 14, 2019—Stimulating the vagus nerve triggers certain epigenetic changes involving learning and memory.
Vanderbilt scientists report new modeling of brain signaling
Mar. 7, 2019—Heidi Hamm and colleagues have reported the first animal model of a "shut-off valve" for neurotransmitter and hormone release through SNARE complex-mediated membrane fusion.
Gene identified that increases risk of antibiotic reaction
Feb. 28, 2019—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues have identified a gene that increases the risk for a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to the commonly prescribed antibiotic vancomycin.