Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
Targeting glucagon action in diabetes
Mar. 4, 2021—Disrupting the action of glucagon — a pancreatic hormone that works to raise blood glucose — restores functional insulin-producing cells in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and may be a promising treatment strategy.
Early research shows promise for therapeutics that delay Type 2 Diabetes
Jan. 12, 2021—Discovering the mechanism behind cell behavior that is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, Vanderbilt researchers move closer to treatments for the disease, which affects 34 million Americans.
Nancy Carrasco’s pioneering public health work recognized with National Academy of Medicine election
Nov. 4, 2020—Nancy Carrasco, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and the Joe C. Davis Chair of Biomedical Science, receives one of the highest honors in health and medicine.
Histamine circuits in brain reward center
Oct. 29, 2020—Histamine — commonly associated with allergies — also has a signaling role in the brain’s reward center and may offer a novel target for treating addiction.
Brain blood vessel response to hypoxia
Oct. 15, 2020—The brain’s response to low oxygen — growth and remodeling of blood vessels — involves certain cell types and molecular pathways, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
Salt, immune cells and hypertension
Aug. 20, 2020—Excess dietary salt activates immune cells to induce inflammation and hypertension, supporting current recommendations for low sodium consumption.
The discovery of a ‘negative regulator’ in the brain alters understanding of brain function and potential treatment of cognitive disorders
Jul. 21, 2020—Terunaga Nakagawa and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute discover new qualities of GSG1L, responsible for activity in the anterior thalamus.
Single mutation causes seizure disorder
Jun. 22, 2020—A single mutation in one gene can impair inhibitory signaling in the brain and cause multiple types of seizures and behavioral abnormalities.
New research reveals environmental pollutant in drinking water is more dangerous than previously understood
May. 26, 2020—Nancy Carrasco has found that the environmental pollutant perchlorate, found in drinking water in 49 states, is more dangerous than we knew.
Transporter’s role in gut barrier
Apr. 21, 2020—A disease-associated mutation in a transporter protein impairs gut barrier function, leading to gastrointestinal disease and chronic infections.
Blocking stress-induced relapse
Apr. 8, 2020—Danny Winder and colleagues are teasing apart the actions of neurotransmitter receptors in a brain region linked to anxiety and addiction, with a goal of finding treatments for substance use disorders.
Protein interactions and brain function
Feb. 20, 2020—Roger Colbran and colleagues have discovered new molecular details about the function of an enzyme with a key role in shaping learning and memory.