Research

  • Photo of rolled-up blueprints on drafting desk

    Study shines light on architecture of kidney disease

    A study of 280,000 U.S. veterans, including 56,000 African Americans, has identified in greater detail than ever before the genetic architecture of kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their colleagues. Read More

    Sep 25, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Wilson awarded Komen breast cancer research grant

    An engineering professor has received financial support from Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research. His project is among 60 grants totaling $26 million awarded to researchers nationwide. Those initiatives are focused on improving outcomes for metastatic breast cancer, reducing disparities in survivorship and developing new, more effective treatments. John T. Wilson, assistant professor of... Read More

    Sep 25, 2019

  • cropped photo of older african american man holding his hands to his chest as if in pain

    Diabetes drug study explores cardiovascular risks for patients with kidney disease

    An observational study using medical record information from nearly 50,000 U.S. military veterans sheds new light on which drugs are best for patients with Type 2 diabetes and one of its common complications, kidney disease. Read More

    Sep 25, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Treating C. diff: new purpose for an old drug?

    An inexpensive generic drug once used to prevent gastrointestinal ulcers in people taking daily NSAIDs protects against C. diff infection in mice. Read More

    Sep 24, 2019

  • The pediatrician examining baby with a stethoscope.

    Tailoring treatment for heart defect

    By defining the clinical and genetic factors that predict treatment response, Vanderbilt investigators aim to personalize therapy for a common heart complication in preterm infants. Read More

    Sep 23, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Guengerich, Sanders-Bush named ASPET fellows

    Vanderbilt University’s F. Peter (Fred) Guengerich, PhD, and Elaine Sanders-Bush, PhD, are among 22 prominent scientists named this week to the inaugural class of fellows of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). Read More

    Sep 20, 2019

  • 3d illustration of microscopic closeup of intestine villus

    Microvilli in motion

    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. Read More

    Sep 19, 2019

  • portrait

    Gamazon receives NIH Genomic Innovator Award

    VUMC's Eric Gamazon has received a Genomic Innovator Award from the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the NIH. Read More

    Sep 19, 2019

  • Active retirement, group of three old male friends talking and laughing on bench in public park

    Potential prostate cancer biomarkers

    An analysis of more than 140,000 people of European ancestry has identified blood protein biomarkers associated with prostate cancer risk. Read More

    Sep 19, 2019

  • Prescription medication is strewn about, with pill bottles in the deep background. (Getty Images)

    All-in-one pill helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol

    A single pill containing low doses of three medications to treat high blood pressure and one to lower cholesterol reduced the estimated risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%, according to a VUMC study. Read More

    Sep 19, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Department of Energy webinar on federal funding set for Sept. 26

    A special webinar on federal funding from the Department of Energy is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Baker Building, Room 800C. Remote viewing will be available with advanced registration. Register here to attend the webinar in person or remotely. “DOE and Biological Sciences” will cover a broad range of... Read More

    Sep 17, 2019

  • illustration of head dissolving into pixels

    Relational memory in early psychosis

    Studies of relational memory function may reveal novel mechanisms for therapeutic intervention for patients in the early stages of psychosis. Read More

    Sep 10, 2019

  • conceptual illustration of brain with tangled scribbles running through it

    Astrocytes and epilepsy

    A protein with important functions in astrocytes — star-shaped brain support cells — may alter neuronal excitability and contribute to seizure activity, Vanderbilt researchers report. Read More

    Sep 9, 2019

  • glass salt shaker uncapped and spilled on a brown tabletop

    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 More

    Sep 5, 2019

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

    The plus and minus of microtubules

    Understanding the dynamic regulation of cytoskeletal microtubules may suggest new ways to treat disorders ranging from Alzheimer's disease to cancer. Read More

    Sep 5, 2019

  • close up of medium skin toned woman's eye with hazel colored iris

    Zebrafish aid effort to regenerate damaged retinas

    According to a new study, the tiny zebrafish may hold the secret to regenerating damaged retinas in humans. Read More

    Sep 5, 2019

  • Gloved hand holding vial of a positive Zika blood sample

    Partnership to help bring Zika virus therapy to clinic

    Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are partnering with the Dutch biopharmaceutical firm Batavia Biosciences and Nashville-based IDBiologics to bring to the clinic a highly potent Zika virus neutralizing antibody they isolated three years ago. Read More

    Sep 4, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    REDCap data management tool reaches million user mark

    Developed in 2004 by BME research professor Paul Harris Fifteen years after it was launched, REDCap, Vanderbilt University’s research data management tool, has reached 1 million users throughout the world. REDCap, or Research Electronic Data Capture, is a web-based platform originally devised by Paul Harris,  professor of biomedical engineering, biomedical informatics and biostatistics. To date,... Read More

    Aug 22, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    REDCap data management tool reaches million user mark

    Developed in 2004 by BME research professor Paul Harris Fifteen years after it was launched, REDCap, Vanderbilt University’s research data management tool, has reached 1 million users throughout the world. REDCap, or Research Electronic Data Capture, is a web-based platform originally devised by Paul Harris,  professor of biomedical engineering, biomedical informatics and biostatistics. To date,... Read More

    Aug 22, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Rare study of Earth-sized planet uses technique pioneered by Vanderbilt professor

    A groundbreaking study, using data from NASA and a technique pioneered by a Vanderbilt professor, is giving humankind a glimpse at a distant exoplanet with a size similar to Earth and a surface which may resemble Mercury or Earth’s Moon. Located nearly 49 light-years from Earth, the planet known… Read More

    Aug 19, 2019