School Of Medicine Basic Sciences

  Stomach Disorders Vanderbilt School of Medicine basic science researchers study stomach (gastric) cancer by uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive tumor initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. Work spans cancer genetics and epigenetics, oncogenic signaling, metabolism, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment and immune system. Many labs use… Read More

Liver Disease Liver disease affects millions globally, with causes including fatty liver (MASLD), viral hepatitis (HCV/HBV), alcohol, and obesity, leading to significant mortality (2M deaths/year globally) and disability. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences researchers investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human liver diseases, from fatty liver and… Read More

  Heart Disease Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences researchers are investigating the heart at its foundations, from the molecular signals that control contraction and rhythm to the genetic and cellular pathways that drive atherosclerosis, inflammation, and heart failure. This bench-level insight fuels the next generation of diagnostics and… Read More

  Colonic Diseases Vanderbilt scientists are advancing colon disease research by bringing together experts in gastroenterology, oncology, immunology, genetics, and data science to better understand how conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer develop and progress. Their work spans the full pipeline-from identifying risk factors and molecular pathways… Read More

Meet Jen Silverman, a Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Matthew Tyska in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. Read More

Lung Disease Worldwide, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) affect hundreds of millions, with COPD and asthma being major burdens, causing millions of deaths annually, driven largely by smoking and air pollution, though age-standardized rates for many CRDs have dropped, absolute numbers rise due to population growth, and pneumonia remains a leading… Read More

Congratulations to our School of Medicine Basic Sciences faculty members who were promoted or received new appointments between October and December 2025! These individuals significantly enrich our pursuit of pathbreaking research and contribute to the growth and success of our school. Read More

Millions of Americans struggle with cocaine use, yet research tools don’t yet reflect real-world drug use. Vanderbilt scientists have developed a new approach that more accurately models how people use cocaine, strengthening efforts to understand addiction and develop better therapies Read More

Kavya Sharman, BS’16, PhD’22, channeled dual expertise in science and business into launching Phase Capital, a Nashville-based venture capital firm focused on tech bio. Today, she supports founders working to transform scientific discoveries into scalable applications across the U.S., all while maintaining close ties to her Vanderbilt alma mater and home. Read More

Breast Cancer research Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast mutate and grow uncontrollably, forming tumors in ducts or lobules. It is the second most common cancer in U.S. women, with a 90% five-year survival rate due to advances in treatment.  School of Medicine Basic Sciences Breast Cancer Research… Read More