Uncategorized

Alyssa Hasty, Ph.D., professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, has been named Associate Dean for Faculty Development for Basic Sciences at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Hasty has devoted much of her career to mentoring and encouraging students and junior faculty members. She was one of the founding members and… Read More

Researchers at Vanderbilt have identified what may be a genetic “smoking gun” for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — a mutation in the gene for the critical neuronal protein CaMKII. While no single mutation can explain the immensely complicated picture presented by ASD, this study is the first to link a… Read More

Vivien Casagrande, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine noted for her contributions to the visual sciences, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, Jan. 21, surrounded by her husband, James Andrew “Mac” McKanna, and sons James and Paul McKanna. She was 74. Known internationally for… Read More

Linda Sealy, Ph.D., has been named associate dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Basic Sciences at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Sealy, who has been on faculty since 1986, is associate professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Cell and Developmental Biology and Cancer Biology. “Linda has done a tremendous amount to… Read More

Craig Lindsley, Ph.D., a leader of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s groundbreaking drug discovery program, is the 2017 recipient of the Pharmacia-ASPET Award in Experimental Therapeutics from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).  In a news release, ASPET said Lindsley was honored for “his pioneering use of technology-enabled synthesis,… Read More

Despite major strides in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, metastatic disease remains a therapeutic challenge, resulting in over 40,000 deaths per year in the United States. Most breast cancers are the result of genetic mutations that lead to abnormal growth and invasive behavior of the tumor cells. Read More

Integrins are integral membrane proteins found on nearly every cell in multicellular animals. They provide the means by which cells interact with components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In humans, integrins are heterodimers composed of one of 18 alpha subunits and one of 8 beta subunits, with 24 combinations found… Read More

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive, particularly deadly form of cancer noted for its early metastasis and resistance to therapy. One explanation for these traits is that SCLC is usually composed of heterogeneous cell populations, most often including cells with neuroendocrine (NE) traits and those with mesenchymal-like… Read More

Vanderbilt University scientists, led by P. Jeffrey Conn, Ph.D., Lee E. Limbird Professor of Pharmacology in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (VCNDD), have received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that testing in humans may proceed for an investigational new… Read More

Dean of Vanderbilt Basic Sciences, Larry Marnett, announced the appointment of three outstanding colleagues to the leadership team of the VU Basic Sciences of the School of Medicine effective January 1, 2017. Linda Sealy will serve as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Linda has been… Read More