School Of Medicine Basic Sciences

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University honors emeritus and emerita faculty at 2025 Commencement

    Vanderbilt University honored 32 retiring faculty members on May 9 for their years of service by bestowing upon them the title of emerita or emeritus faculty during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony at GEODIS Park. Two outgoing deans also were recognized for service to the university. Read More

    May 9, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt scientists pioneer an AI-driven drug discovery tool targeting RNAs

    Targeting ncRNAs with drugs presents a much larger therapeutic opportunity than targeting proteins, but the currently available drug discovery tools are slow and computationally intensive. Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and core member of the Center for Applied AI in Protein Dynamics Carlos Oliver is working with collaborators to unlock the untapped potential of ncRNAs, as they are a promising family of targets for the development of novel small-molecule therapeutics. Read More

    May 9, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    How tissues detect and repair damage to the body’s hidden support system

    A new study by Vanderbilt investigators uncovered a previously unknown biological mechanism: how tissues detect and respond to damage in basement membranes, the thin layers of extracellular matrix that surround and support nearly every organ in the body. The research, published in Developmental Cell, is the first to show how local cells sense and respond to changes in basement membrane stiffness caused by damage—and how they activate a previously unknown set of “matrix mender” cells to repair the tissue. Read More

    May 9, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt Brain Institute marks 25 years of discovery with 2025 Brain Blast celebration

    Since its inception in 1999, the VBI has spearheaded interdisciplinary neuroscience research and education. Over the years, the VBI has grown into a vibrant, trans-institutional hub that spans the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, the Peabody College of education and human development, and other schools and departments throughout Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Read More

    May 8, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    WATCH: Class of 2025 students’ ‘dare to grow’ drive makes a mark on the world

    WATCH: Dare to grow is more than a motto for these Class of 2025 students. See how they’re pushing themselves and making an impact in cancer research, law and music. Read More

    May 5, 2025

  • Collage of headshot of faculty fellows

    11 Vanderbilt faculty members selected as 2025 Chancellor Faculty Fellows

    Eleven outstanding faculty members from across the university have been selected for the 2025 cohort of Chancellor Faculty Fellows. Each fellow holds the title of Chancellor Faculty Fellow and receives $80,000 over a multi-year period to support their work. Read More

    May 1, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    CLASS OF 2025: Logan Northcutt is driven to fight cancer and support future scientists

    Hear from Class of 2025 graduate and cancer biologist Logan Northcutt on his dream to inspire young scientists. Read More

    Apr 28, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Winning the War on Bacteria

    Crucial research by Neil Osheroff and his lab leads to approval of the first new class of antibacterial drugs in decades. The drug, gepotidacin, developed by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Blujepa, will be available starting later this year, potentially bringing relief to thousands of women who struggle with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Read More

    Apr 28, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    New science building to house collaborative space for three Vanderbilt schools and colleges

    Radical collaboration is the driving vision for the state-of the-art science building planned for the current site of Stevenson Center 6. The new building will be a shared space for the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine Basic Sciences; it will address the growing need for updated, accessible and sustainable facilities that offer space for an open exchange of ideas. Read More

    Apr 10, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    To cause cancer or not to cause cancer: What leads to H. pylori-induced stomach malignancies

    Though Helicobacter pylori lives in the guts of about half of the world's adults, infections can go undetected for decades. The problem: the bacteria is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer, and one strain of the germ carries a higher risk. Vanderbilt researchers Tim Cover and Jennifer Shuman analyzed how the genetic makeup of H. pylori strains affects how they change the molecular makeup of gut tissues and lead to gastric cancer. Read More

    Apr 8, 2025

  • Stephanie Wankowicz

    Stephanie Wankowicz: Exploring protein form and function

    Stephanie Wankowicz, Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Principal Investigator at the Wankowicz Lab (Submitted photo) When proteins are on the move, the way they wiggle, jiggle and form shapes within a cell informs the jobs they perform. From simple interactions, to making chemical reactions happen, to helping… Read More

    Apr 7, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt researchers identify potential drug combinations to improve breast cancer treatment

    Kevin Murphy, Andrew W. Mellon Chair in the Humanities and professor of history of art and architecture, and Mary Anne Hunting, BA’80, have uncovered the histories of female architects in the American Modernism period of the U.S. in new research. Read More

    Mar 26, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Study uncovers significant differences in a dietary supplement’s key ingredient

    A recent study by Paula Luis and Claus Schneider, researchers in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, has uncovered substantial inconsistencies in the alkaloid content of Corydalis yanhusuo dietary supplements. Read More

    Mar 26, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    How do you maintain a cellular structure without a membrane? Researchers find that synapses can use liquids to create functional separations

    The laboratory of Ege Kavalali, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, published a new paper in Nature Communications that determined that liquid-liquid phase separation plays a key role within the nanostructure of synapses, and that its disruption affects evoked but not spontaneous neurotransmission. Read More

    Mar 6, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt biomedical research paves the way for ‘hypoallergen’ treatments against peanut allergies

    A recent pair of papers from the Vanderbilt University labs of Benjamin Spiller, associate professor of pharmacology, and Scott Smith, associate professor of medicine, dig into how peanut allergies are provoked and providing support for the use of a potential treatment option: hypoallergens. Both papers were published in February in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Read More

    Feb 26, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt and Northwestern labs discover new mechanisms that cause irregular heartbeat

    Medicine often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, but a disorder’s root cause can vary. Vanderbilt researchers have found that, for people with long QT syndrome, a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat, a more tailored approach could be beneficial. The research, led by Vanderbilt University Professor of Biochemistry and Vice Dean of Basic Sciences Charles Sanders and Northwestern University Professor and Chair of Pharmacology Dr. Al George, was published in PNAS in February 2025. Read More

    Feb 26, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    School of Medicine Basic Sciences Vestigo Issue 6 launches

    Vestigo is a print and online magazine published by the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Published once a year, Vestigo provides an in-depth view of research that’s happening in our community, highlights trainee accomplishments, and celebrates the successes of our staff and faculty. Read More

    Jan 27, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Faculty members and alumni honored with Presidential Early Career Award

    On Jan. 14, President Biden awarded nearly 400 scientists and engineers the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Among the awardees were six Vanderbilt faculty members and three alumni. Read More

    Jan 23, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Inaugural cohort of faculty fellows elevates Immersion Vanderbilt

    Immersion Vanderbilt, now in its third year as a graduation requirement, consistently provides students with the opportunity to pursue a variety of in-depth experiences and independent projects. Students align their immersion projects with their interests—whether those are artistic, research-oriented, career-focused, globally aimed or community-engaged. Faculty from all 10 schools and colleges support students’ goals and ambitions within immersion, and this year, that support is enhanced by a new cohort of 10 Immersion Faculty Fellows who are supported by Undergraduate Education in the Office of the Provost.  Read More

    Jan 16, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    New center at Vanderbilt applies advanced technology to biological research

    Vanderbilt University’s new Center for Computational Systems Biology brings computer science, engineering and biomedical researchers together with clinicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to accelerate discovery related to human diseases and conditions. Read More

    Jan 16, 2025