Genetics

Inhibitory neurons that connect and regulate signaling in the brain (interneurons) may contribute to epilepsy and autism in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Read More

A study led by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators has identified a gene expression pattern that may explain why chemotherapy prior to surgery isn’t effective against some tumors and suggests new therapy options for patients with specific subtypes of breast cancer. Read More

An international study co-led by researchers at Vanderbilt University has uncovered six new “susceptibility loci,” chromosomal regions located in or near genes that may play a role in atrial fibrillation, the most commonly diagnosed heart condition. Read More

A rare genetic change adds support to the idea that altered dopamine signaling is a key risk factor for ADHD. Read More

Mutations in hundreds of genes involved in wiring the brain may contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Read More

Vanderbilt University is already doing genetic analyses of patients to help in developing a shortlist of effective drugs, says Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at its medical school. Read More

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators have won two of the five global innovation grants awarded by the “GE Healthymagination Cancer Challenge.” Read More

Vanderbilt researchers are seeking genetic clues to explain why risk factors for AF are more prevalent in African-Americans but their incidence of the disease is lower than European-Americans. Read More

A new analytical tool points to genes that act together to increase disease risk. Read More

In addition to body mass index, genetic markers of obesity may provide value in predicting endometrial cancer risk. Read More

A new study in the American Journal of Human Genetics, led by Vanderbilt researchers Josh Denny, M.D., M.S., and Dana Crawford, Ph.D., takes random volumes of human genotypes and matches them with data siphoned from de-identified medical records and sheds new light on the genetic basis of the common… Read More

Protein helps ensure proper division of chromosomes during cell division. Read More

A new mouse model provides a tool for testing novel therapeutic approaches for neurofibromatosis. Read More

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded Vanderbilt researchers a two-year, $1 million grant to Vanderbilt to develop a model for applying genomic testing to drug prescribing in “real-world” settings. Read More

Vanderbilt University Medical Center doctors announced today they will begin screening patients who take commonly prescribed statin drugs for a rare genetic variation that can increase risks for side effects from these drugs such as muscle aches, kidney damage and even death. Read More

Should scientists inform participants in genomic studies about their risk for diseases or conditions discovered during the studies, and if so, when and how? A Vanderbilt professor is part of a team working to answer these questions. Read More

Researchers have discovered how key proteins are “turned on” and transmit signals inside the cell. The discovery could lead to new, more effective drugs. Read More

  Every so often a piece of research makes it into the popular culture. That is the case with the discovery of Vanderbilt biologists Antonis Rokas and Jason Slot that entire gene clusters have jumped between unrelated species of mold millions of years… Read More

First appearance from "Uncanny X-Men" #96. Art by Dave Cockrum. Via Wikipedia. Here’s another reason to love the X-Men: real science. Listen carefully to the dialogue between Professor Charles Xavier and CIA agent Dr. Moira MacTaggart in the new movie, “X-Men: First Class,” and you’ll hear a… Read More

The question of whether new discoveries about the human genome will cause racism to fizzle or flare was the topic of the two recent discussions at Vanderbilt. Read More