David Cortez

World-renowned leader in biochemistry David Cortez wins the 2024 Hans Neurath Award for the development and application of creative technological approaches to identify and characterize proteins involved in DNA and genome maintenance.  Read More

Cohen was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of epidermal growth factor, a protein produced in the body that influences the development of nerve and skin tissues by stimulating cell growth and differentiation. The discovery of EGF launched an entire field of research into growth factor signaling and had major impacts on human health. Read More

The latest scientific research from Basic Sciences faculty and trainees. Read More

Baris and Pollenz have been selected as the Danzo and Cohen Postdoctoral Scholars, respectively. Destination Biochemistry applications for the next cohort are due Thursday, Feb. 15. Read More

Stachowiak is recognized for a paradigm-shifting discovery in the field of membrane biophysics, demonstrating that proteins can induce membrane curvature solely through a surface-crowding mechanism. Her lab investigates the biophysical mechanisms that underlie the function of lipid membranes in cells and explores the opportunity of creating bio-inspired materials and systems that borrow these mechanisms. Read More

By Kate Carter To highlight major inflection points in research, the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences launched the Apex Lecture Series in 2023, which allows the Basic Sciences community to engage with researchers from around the world who are influencing the trajectory of their fields. Read More

By Selene Colon The School of Medicine Basic Sciences would like to recognize our faculty for pursuing high-impact research that leads to national recognition of Vanderbilt’s research excellence. High-impact science is often identified by the number of citations related papers receive, but highly cited papers are not always in premier… Read More

An international collaboration steered by David Cortez, Richard N. Armstrong, Ph.D. Chair for Innovation in Biochemistry, explored how cells tolerate DNA damage and genome instability—and they arrived at conclusions that will redirect research into DNA replication as a target for cancer and disease therapeutics. Cells continuously divide… Read More

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver honored faculty from across the university at an endowed chair investiture ceremony on campus Feb. 24, conferring the university’s highest scholastic rank on those who had received the designation during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020… Read More

The Department of Biochemistry is nestled within the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, but even though Basic Sciences was only established in 2015, the biochemistry department has been an integral part of Vanderbilt since its foundation in 1925. Historically, the department was known for its prowess in nutrition and toxicology,… Read More