Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
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Research Snapshot: Novel discovery describes how the motor cortex influences stress responses in brain regions involved in drug- and alcohol-seeking behavior
Exercise and movement may be a prescription to mitigate drug and alcohol seeking behavior due to its influence on the brain. Est. reading time: 3 mins. Read MoreJun 24, 2021
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Senior Associate Dean of Basic Sciences Roger Chalkley to retire
Roger Chalkley, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and senior associate dean for biomedical research education and training, will retire this summer, his department has announced. Read MoreApr 21, 2021
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Targeting glucagon action in diabetes
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. Read MoreMar 4, 2021
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Early research shows promise for therapeutics that delay Type 2 Diabetes
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. Read MoreJan 12, 2021
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Nancy Carrasco’s pioneering public health work recognized with National Academy of Medicine election
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. Read MoreNov 4, 2020
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Histamine circuits in brain reward center
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. Read MoreOct 29, 2020
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Brain blood vessel response to hypoxia
The brain’s response to low oxygen — growth and remodeling of blood vessels — involves certain cell types and molecular pathways, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered. Read MoreOct 15, 2020
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Salt, immune cells and hypertension
Excess dietary salt activates immune cells to induce inflammation and hypertension, supporting current recommendations for low sodium consumption. Read MoreAug 20, 2020
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The discovery of a ‘negative regulator’ in the brain alters understanding of brain function and potential treatment of cognitive disorders
Terunaga Nakagawa and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute discover new qualities of GSG1L, responsible for activity in the anterior thalamus. Read MoreJul 21, 2020
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Single mutation causes seizure disorder
A single mutation in one gene can impair inhibitory signaling in the brain and cause multiple types of seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Read MoreJun 22, 2020
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New research reveals environmental pollutant in drinking water is more dangerous than previously understood
Nancy Carrasco has found that the environmental pollutant perchlorate, found in drinking water in 49 states, is more dangerous than we knew. Read MoreMay 26, 2020
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Transporter’s role in gut barrier
A disease-associated mutation in a transporter protein impairs gut barrier function, leading to gastrointestinal disease and chronic infections. Read MoreApr 21, 2020
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Blocking stress-induced relapse
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. Read MoreApr 8, 2020
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Protein interactions and brain function
Roger Colbran and colleagues have discovered new molecular details about the function of an enzyme with a key role in shaping learning and memory. Read MoreFeb 20, 2020
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Transporter mutation alters cell energy
A disease-associated mutation in a transporter protein causes cells to increase energy production, as if they are starving, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered. Read MoreFeb 20, 2020
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A key to calcium signaling
Erkan Karakas and colleagues used cryo-electron microscopy to determine structural details of a calcium channel protein that has numerous cell signaling roles. Read MoreFeb 11, 2020
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Protein dynamics in the beating heart
To study the dynamics of structural proteins in the heart, Vanderbilt investigators generated a cellular tool they expect will be useful for screening drugs that affect heart muscle contraction. Read MoreDec 16, 2019
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Blueprint for treating epilepsy
Structural details of a protein that is essential to normal brain function could improve treatments for epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Read MoreNov 14, 2019
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How salt increases blood pressure
Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that a protein called SGK1 in immune cells is activated by sodium, leading to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Read MoreSep 5, 2019
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New window on fibrosis
A previously unrecognized role for a cell surface receptor may open new therapeutic options for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. Read MoreAug 8, 2019