NIGMS Archives
Single-cell analysis of solid tumors
Dec. 12, 2016—A new method will make it possible to study solid tumors and healthy tissues using mass cytometry.
Making human beta cells reproduce
Dec. 8, 2016—A new method developed at Vanderbilt will speed the search for potential therapeutics for diabetes: compounds that stimulate the replication of insulin-producing beta cells.
Plasmin prevents muscle ‘hardening’ after injury: study
Dec. 8, 2016—Vanderbilt researchers have made the surprising discovery that the protease plasmin, known for its clot-busting role in the blood, protects soft tissue from turning to bone after severe injuries and certain orthopaedic surgeries.
Targeting the “un-targetable”
Nov. 18, 2016—A novel drug that targets the protein RSK blocked aggressive breast cancers from metastasizing in an animal model.
Stem cells promote tolerance
Nov. 17, 2016—Blood-forming stem cells play a role in immune tolerance and acceptance of organ transplants, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
Protein structure and epilepsy severity
Nov. 10, 2016—Understanding how mutations affect the structure and function of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors will shed light on the mechanisms underlying some types of epilepsy.
VUMC investigators find pathogens work together to infect host
Nov. 3, 2016—Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus — two pathogens that frequently co-infect the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis — appear to cooperate with each other, Vanderbilt investigators have discovered. When pseudomonas is starved for metal by the host, it shuts down the production of factors that would normally kill staph, promoting a co-infection.
DNA damage response protein
Oct. 21, 2016—Vanderbilt researchers have determined that a previously uncharacterized protein responds to DNA replication stress and has an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the genome.
Study shows excess dietary zinc worsens C. diff infection
Sep. 26, 2016—Too much dietary zinc increases susceptibility to infection by Clostridium difficile — “C. diff” — the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections.
In search of new cancer targets
Sep. 9, 2016—Vanderbilt researchers developed a new algorithm to find clinically targetable gene rearrangements in cancers.
Going after the ‘heart attack gremlin’
Sep. 8, 2016—A protein called Gremlin 2 controls the extent of inflammation after heart attack and may be a good therapeutic target.
New culprit in nerve degeneration
Aug. 12, 2016—Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that regulation of cell volume plays a role in nerve degeneration and peripheral neuropathies.