NIGMS

3d illustration of microscopic closeup of intestine villus

Microvilli in motion

Sep. 19, 2019—Live cell imaging studies have revealed that microvilli — finger-like protrusions on the surface of epithelial cells — move and collide as they form the brush border.

round green dot with plus sign and round red dot with minus sign

The plus and minus of microtubules

Sep. 5, 2019—Understanding the dynamic regulation of cytoskeletal microtubules may suggest new ways to treat disorders ranging from Alzheimer's disease to cancer.

A “rheostat” for cancer signals

Aug. 27, 2019—Jason MacGurn and colleagues have characterized a “rheostat” that sets WNT pathway signaling in breast cancer cells.

New prostate cancer treatment concept

Aug. 22, 2019—Combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy may be a powerful treatment approach for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Closeup shot of an African American man testing his blood sugar level

New role for microtubules in diabetes

Jul. 29, 2019—Microtubules, part of the cell's cytoskeleton, regulate the secretion of insulin, suggesting that they may be a new target for treating diabetes.

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.

large gauze pad held in place on an arm by an elastic gauze bandage

A critical factor for wound healing

Jul. 16, 2019—Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center scientists have discovered a role for a tumor suppressor protein in skin wound healing.

Steroid binding to metabolic enzyme

Jun. 12, 2019—Understanding how a steroid-metabolizing enzyme binds to its substrates may aid in designing drugs to treat sexual dysfunction as well as prostate cancer.

Red telephone handset facing black telephone handset conceptualizing communication between the two

Cell-cell signals in developing heart

Jun. 10, 2019—Scott Baldwin and colleagues have discovered early signaling events during heart development, findings that could guide cell replacement therapies for heart disease.

Cardboard boxes on conveyor roller in distribution warehouse, Delivery and packaging service concept background. 3d illustration (Cardboard boxes on conveyor roller in distribution warehouse, Delivery and packaging service concept background. 3d illus

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.

An African-American male healthcare worker checks the fluid levels in the patients IV drip

How bugs overcome host defenses

Apr. 12, 2019—Eric Skaar and colleagues have figured out how a common bug responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia responds when starved of zinc, a metal it needs to survive, which may lead to new therapeutic targets for the dangerous infection.

Swiss universal knife with tools on shelf.

Novel DNA repair mechanism preserves genome integrity: study

Feb. 28, 2019—David Cortez and colleagues have discovered a new DNA repair mechanism.