Research, News & Discoveries
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Study uncovers significant differences in a type of dietary supplement’s key ingredient
New research by Vanderbilt pharmacologists has uncovered inconsistencies in the active ingredient levels of a dietary supplement often referred to as corydalis. The work, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, highlights concerns regarding the efficacy and authenticity of these widely used supplements. Read MoreMar. 3, 2025
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UC San Diego Professor and Chair of Neurobiology Ryan Hibbs to deliver Apex Lecture on March 27
Ryan Hibbs, professor and chair of neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego, will present the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences Apex Lecture on March 27, 2025. Read MoreMar. 3, 2025
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JAMA Network and Heard Libraries establish read-and-publish pilot agreement, broadening access to health sciences research
Vanderbilt-affiliated authors may publish their original research articles APC-free in JAMA Network journals through a Creative Commons license. Twelve of the network’s journals—including JAMA Internal Medicine, JAMA Neurology and JAMA Oncology—are ranked in the top quartile of their respective subject areas. Read MoreFeb. 27, 2025
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Science communication expert Diana Mitrea shares advice for academia-to-industry transition
Diana Mitrea gave a talk for the Vanderbilt ASPIRE program’s Ph.D. Career Stories seminar series. She outlined her role as head of scientific and corporate communication at Dewpoint Therapeutics and her career transition from academia to industry. Read MoreFeb. 26, 2025
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Research Snapshot: How alcohol reshapes the brain’s dopamine system long after drinking stops
New research reveals that alcohol use can cause long-lasting changes in the brain’s dopamine system, even during abstinence. Vanderbilt researchers found that even after a month without alcohol, key regulators of dopamine activity remained altered, potentially increasing the risk of relapse. The study also challenges long-held assumptions about how gene expression relates to brain function, opening new doors for precision treatments in alcohol use disorder. Read MoreFeb. 25, 2025
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Vanderbilt biomedical research paves the way for ‘hypoallergen’ treatments against peanut allergies
Peanuts cause the highest number of food allergy–related deaths in the U.S. Basic scientists at Vanderbilt uncover how the allergy works and suggest new potential treatments. Read MoreFeb. 24, 2025
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Basic science alums give a glimpse inside the world of medical science liaisons during BRET’s career series
The Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training hosted a Ph.D. Career Stories presentation focused on medical affairs and the role of medical science liaisons. The event featured Vanderbilt University alums Casey (Butrico) Hatfield and Todd Townsend, who provided insights into their career paths, responsibilities, and experiences as medical science liaisons. Read MoreFeb. 20, 2025
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Vanderbilt and Northwestern labs discover new mechanisms that cause irregular heartbeat
Vanderbilt and Northwestern University researchers characterized a group of KCNQ1 variants probe their role in a common heart disorder called LQTS. They found that there are five classes of mutations that act through independent mechanisms, suggesting that a more tailored/personalized treatment approach could be beneficial for LQTS patients. Read MoreFeb. 18, 2025
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Does your liver know what time it is?
Physician-scientist Mitch Lazar delivered a School of Medicine Basic Sciences Apex Lecture on Feb. 11 about nuclear receptors and the circadian regulation of metabolism. Read MoreFeb. 18, 2025
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Greater than the sum of its parts: the role of VARP-SNX27 binding in endosomal “supercomplex” formation
The lab of Lauren Jackson provides the first evidence of an endosomal “supercomplex” and reveals a vital role for VARP in mediating coat assembly in a recent paper published in Science Advances. Read MoreFeb. 17, 2025