molecular physiology and biophysics
Insights on diabetic retinopathy
Jan. 23, 2020—A drug that targets multiple pathogenic steps in diabetic retinopathy may be an ideal therapeutic strategy for the disease, Vanderbilt researchers report.
Study reveals mysteries of critical brain receptor complex
Dec. 5, 2019—Poorly functioning AMPARs have been linked to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders including seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, major depression and autism spectrum disorder. Understanding how AMPARs are formed and operate is essential for the rational design of pharmacological compounds that, by tuning AMPAR activity up or down, could improve treatment of these conditions.
New faculty Nancy Carrasco: From one side of the membrane to the other
Sep. 29, 2019—Nancy Carrasco, new chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and originally from Mexico City, knows how enriching an experience living abroad can be.
Madhur receives Presidential Early Career Award
Jul. 18, 2019—Meena Madhur, MD, PhD, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Study details regulation of a multi-drug transporter
May. 30, 2019—Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered how a protein pump distinguishes between chemicals that it will expel from a cell and inhibitors that block its action. The new findings could guide the development of more efficient inhibitors to prevent cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.
Shaping reward circuits
May. 18, 2018—Using techniques to control and monitor the activities of individual neurons, Vanderbilt investigators are probing the brain’s reward circuitry.
Toxin floats on lipid rafts
Apr. 23, 2018—The bacterium H. pylori is a leading cause of stomach cancer, and Vanderbilt researchers are studying how one of its toxins gets into cells.
Nobel laureate Kobilka’s talk explores receptor activation
Apr. 12, 2018—Brian Kobilka, MD, who received the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), shared his team’s progress in understanding receptor activation — and how that might guide drug development — at last week’s Flexner Discovery Lecture.
Nobel laureate Kobilka set to deliver Flexner Discovery Lecture on April 5
Mar. 29, 2018—Brian Kobilka, MD, who shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture on April 5.
Voluntary exercise and energy balance
Mar. 23, 2018—Non-exercise physical activity has a measurable energy expenditure, which goes down when animals engage in voluntary exercise, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
Linda Sealy receives 2018 AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement
Feb. 15, 2018—Professor Linda Sealy has won the AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement for her continued efforts to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM Ph.D. programs.
Noted neuroscientist Gouaux set for Discovery Lecture
Feb. 15, 2018—Eric Gouaux, PhD, whose work has helped reveal the molecular mechanisms by which nerve cells communicate, will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture Thursday, Feb. 22.