Research, News & Discoveries

  • Vanderbilt University

    Long-distance recruiting 101

    Online recruiting goes viral in the wake of COVID-19. By ake1150, Stock.Adobe.com By Lorena Infante Lara Faculty recruitment in the biosciences is a normal part of life at academic institutions. Candidates visit campuses, meet with faculty in the department they intend to join, interact with students, and, most importantly, present… Read More

    Apr. 1, 2020

  • Desktop of modern worker illustration. Top view on workplace with laptop, documets, cup of tea and smartphone charging from pc flat style concept

    Online dissertation defenses highlight student adaptability

    By Nataliya Kalabina, stock.adobe.com.   By Kendra H. Oliver Over the past few weeks, the Basic Sciences community has witnessed the successful defenses of six of its students. They demonstrated remarkable adaptability and professionalism in these uncertain times as they shared their research with virtual crowds topping out near 200 viewers for… Read More

    Apr. 1, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Two is Better Than One: Combatting the Ebola Virus

    https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/t2-main/medschool-prd/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2020/03/Crowe_Website.mp4   By Sarah Glass Microscopic view of the Ebola virus. (jaddingt, stock.adobe.com) Many people associate Ebola with the previous viral epidemic of the last decade, but, especially in light of the current global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, few are aware that there is currently an active outbreak occurring in the… Read More

    Mar. 26, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Cellular factor helps package flu genome

    Mar. 23, 2020, 8:00 AM by Leigh MacMillan The influenza virus RNA-nucleoprotein complexes are shown in green. (CDC/Dan Higgins) The viral genome of influenza A — the primary cause of seasonal flu epidemics — is composed of eight RNA segments that are each encapsulated by many copies of viral nucleoprotein… Read More

    Mar. 26, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Researchers developing potential coronavirus antibody therapies

    by Bill Snyder Vanderbilt University Medical Center is teaming up with academic, governmental and corporate partners in an unprecedented, fast-tracked global effort to develop antibody-based treatments to protect people exposed to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Researchers from the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center (VVC) have rapidly responded to this… Read More

    Mar. 24, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Study explores link between cholesterol metabolism and environmental toxicants

    https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/t2-main/medschool-prd/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2020/03/Porter_Updated-1.mp4   By Stella Child In the last two decades, scientists have found increasing evidence for the contribution of environmental factors to neurodegenerative diseases. Organic solvents, heavy metals, and air pollutants are now all categorized as neurotoxicants, substances that affect the function of the nervous system. A subset of… Read More

    Mar. 23, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Blocking stress-induced relapse

    Mar. 19, 2020, 9:00 AM by Bill Snyder Stress is a precipitating factor for craving and relapse in cocaine use disorder. A part of the brain known as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been linked to both anxiety and addiction. Guanfacine, a drug that acts on… Read More

    Mar. 19, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Triple-negative breast cancer drug therapy shows promise

    Mar. 12, 2020, 9:10 AM by Tom Wilemon Researchers from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) discovered a role for MYCN in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of the disease, and identified a potential intervention for further clinical investigation. MYCN is a well-known oncogene that plays a role in… Read More

    Mar. 19, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Clues to lung injury in preterm babies

    Mar. 5, 2020, 1:30 PM by Leigh MacMillan Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) — a form of chronic lung disease — is a leading complication of preterm birth affecting infants born before 32 weeks gestation. Exposure to high levels of oxygen (hyperoxia) plays a role in BPD pathogenesis, but the precise molecular… Read More

    Mar. 18, 2020

  • Two segments of chromatin are shown. Each is made up of eight yellow balls (laid out in a four-by-two pattern) that represent histones and a colorful thread, representing DNA, that goes around the histones; collectively, these are the nucleosomes . The top chromatin has the nucleosomes more spread out than the bottom chromatin. Gene expression on the top chromatin is represented by a green protein that is shooting out segments of RNA. There is no gene expression on the bottom chromatin: the nucleosomes are tightly packed in a line and the DNA has a smattering of red spots throughout, representing methyl groups.

    ATAC-Me attacks knowledge gap in genetics research

    https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/t2-main/medschool-prd/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2020/03/Hodges.mp4   By Hillary Layden Most human cells contain roughly 6.5 feet of DNA, which must be tightly compacted to fit within the nucleus. Cells compact DNA by wrapping it around proteins called histones, forming a DNA-protein complex called chromatin. “Closed” chromatin is tightly compacted and cannot interact with… Read More

    Mar. 17, 2020