Research, News & Discoveries

Alcohol use disorder and addiction continue to shape public health in widespread and complex ways, influencing everything from metabolic disease and cancer risk to brain function and behavior. During Alcohol Awareness Month, we highlight the remarkable work of our community, whose research spans from molecules to behavior to shed light on this disorder. Read More

The biochemistry lab of Doug Mitchell discovered the enzyme responsible for a rare chemical modification that doesn't exist in human cells, which can potentially become a new target for developing antibiotics that selectively kill bacteria without harming our own cells. Read More

Ever wonder what about the ROI on biomedical research looks like? At the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, scientists are delivering answers—by driving discoveries that are already improving human health and paving the way for tomorrow’s treatments. This 2025–26 roundup highlights some of the year’s most exciting advances, showing the extraordinary value of sustained support for biomedical science. Read More

Kathleen DelGiorno, assistant professor of cell and developmental biology at the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, will deliver an upcoming Kairos Lecture on Thursday, April 23. Read More

Meet Trang Doan, Pod 3 administrative officer in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read More

Kavalali’s team identified spontaneous neurotransmission–dependent signaling mechanisms that help explain how certain antidepressants can act rapidly in the brain. Read More

Prashant Donthamsetti, assistant professor of pharmacology at the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, delivered the upcoming Kairos Lecture on Thursday, March 26. Read More

In honor of the 2026 Women’s History Month, the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences is highlighting female faculty from our school. We asked them to reflect on their journeys and the changes they have experienced in how biomedical research and academia treat their women. Read More

Meet Kirsty Erickson, a Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Cody Siciliano in the Department of Pharmacology. Read More

Recent work from the labs of Vivian Weiss and Ethan Lee shows a direct connection between exposure with PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals”—with changes in the morphology and function of thyroid tissue Read More