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As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the achievements and contributions to science made by the School of Medicine Basic Sciences community over the past year. SOMBS facilitates outstanding fundamental science research across four departments, two institutes, 10 centers, and 18 core facilities. The work of our faculty,… Read More

Hannah Collins was named the 2025 Destination Biochemistry Stanley Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar in recognition of her exceptional training, innovative research on microglial signaling, and strong potential as a future scientific leader. Joining Bruce Carter’s lab, she brings significant expertise and new perspectives to studies of the Jedi receptor in microglial function. Read More

In a new study, Vanderbilt researchers found that by promoting the formation of actin cytoskeleton inside the epithelial cells lining the proximal tubules, Rac1 facilitates removal and replacement of mitochondria damaged by ischemia. Read More

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the new antibiotic gepotidacin for use against uncomplicated gonorrhea. The biochemistry lab of Neil Osheroff provided all mechanism of action data in the FDA application. Read More

“After this trip, I now see the job search, networking, and application process as an exciting journey—a journey to meet great people, to better understand myself, to identify work cultures where I can belong and thrive, and to develop professional skills beyond my Ph.D. training,” Zhengyi Chen, a Ph.D. candidate in chemical and physical biology said. Read More

With novel insights in understanding and treating substance use disorder that have redirected neuropsychopharmacological dogma, Erin Calipari receives award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Read More

Meet Katherine Clowes Moster, a trainee in the lab of Chuck Sanders in the Department of Biochemistry. Read More

Niswender’s project seeks to understand why levels of mGlu7 are reduced in Rett syndrome and to test a new therapeutic approach using DNA molecules to restore those levels. This work could pave the way for new drug therapies to address symptoms of Rett syndrome and related disorders, while also advancing advocacy and visibility for these conditions in the scientific community. Read More

They are among 6,868 scientists worldwide whose papers rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields of research and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years. Read More

For our latest Alum Answers feature, meet Dave Vigerust, PhD’04, who trained as a scientist in Vanderbilt’s IGP umbrella program and then in the Cellular and Molecular Pathology program. He has spent his career interfacing between basic research and the clinic and is now the chief scientific and strategy officer of three companies. Read More