MPB Research Interests

Click on the links below to found out about the varied interests of the MPB faculty.

MPB Research Interests

Biophysics and Structural Biology

These faculty members use diverse biophysical techniques to probe protein, cellular and whole animal structure and physiology. These techniques include electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorescence cell imaging.
These MPB faculty are also active participants in the Center for Structural Biology, the Vanderbilt Institute for Imaging Science, the Cell Imaging Shared Resource and the Molecular Biophysics Training Program.
Faculty Group Members
Computational Biology

These faculty members use computational biology - the use of algorithms, statistics, and computer simulations - to study biological systems and analyze large biological datasets. Computational biology is used to interpret DNA/RNA sequencing, protein structures, and cellular networks; discover genes linked to disease; model evolution and epidemics; and predict the effects of mutations or drugs. It helps turn complex experimental data into testable hypotheses and guides experiments by identifying patterns and making quantitative predictions.
Faculty Group Members
Diabetes and Metabolism

This group is interested in understanding the tissue-specific roles of hormones, neurotransmitters an other molecules in modulating whole animal physiology and pathophysiology, such as diabetes.
These MPB faculty are also active participants in the Diabetes Research and Training Center, the Digestive Disease Research Center, the Institute for Obesity and Metabolism and the Center for Stem Cell Biology. The department is also the institutional home for the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center.
Faculty Group Members
Genetics

Several MPB faculty members study the role of genetic variation in the risk of disease and/or use genetic models to test the impact of variation in vitro or in vivo. Major themes under this rubric include (1) genome-wide search for sporadic and inherited risk variants for neurological and metabolic disorders, which increasingly leverages the Vanderbilt BioVU Repository; (2) testing the effect of altered gene expression, mutation or disease-associated variants (knock-out, knock-down or knock-in) on protein, functional networks, physiology and behavior; and (3) exploring fundamental mechanisms involved in control of gene expression in normal development and in disease states.
These MPB faculty are also active participants in the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center.
Faculty Group Members
Neurosciences

Several MPB faculty members are interested in the fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate synaptic transmission and their role in pathophysiological responses, such as stress, anxiety, addiction and obesity. Faculty focus on the structure and function of ion channels, transporters and signaling molecules, and their roles in various forms of synaptic plasticity. State of the art techniques are also being used to investigate the connectivity between various brain regions that control these complex behaviors.
These MPB faculty are also active participants in the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center. The department also houses the recently established Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research (VCAR), directed by Dr. Erin Calipari.
Faculty Group Members
Signal Transduction & Transcriptional Regulation

Faculty members in this group are interested in fundamental molecular mechanisms that allow cells to specifically and efficiently respond to hormones, neurotransmitters and other environmental cues. Several labs investigate the biological roles of protein interactions and covalent modifications such as protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and protein/DNA methylation and/or acetylation in modulating gene transcription.
These MPB faculty are also active participants in the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center, the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer, and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute.
Faculty Group Members

Affiliated Vanderbilt Research Centers and Institutes

Most MPB faculty members are actively engaged in other institutional centers, institutes and/or core facilities that promote research and/or education in areas that cross departmental boundaries. Several have assumed leadership roles in the development and ongoing administration of these organizations.

Cell Imaging Shared Resource (CISR)

The CISR is an institutional core facility situated in multiple imaging suites that include all modern, established optical microscopy, as well as a full service EM facility.

Center for AI in Protein Dynamics (CAIPD)

The Center for AI in Protein Dynamics fosters innovation, implementation, and adoption of artificial intelligence systems and machine learning technologies to advance the frontier of biomolecular dynamics, decipher the mechanisms of diseases, and improve human health.

Center for Computational Systems Biology (CCSB)

Vanderbilt Center for Computational Systems Biology (CCSB) is a transinstitutional center between Vanderbilt University Basic Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Vanderbilt College of Connected Computing that aims to leverage team science and computational biology to turn biomolecular data into actionable insights.

Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC)

The interdisciplinary DRTC facilitates the discovery, application, and translation of scientific knowledge to improve the care of patients with diabetes.

Digestive Disease Research Center (DDRC)

The DDRC is a multidisciplinary center developed to promote digestive diseases-related research in an integrative, collaborative and multidisciplinary manner and facilitate the transfer of basic research findings to the clinical area.

Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center (MMPC)

The MMPC supports multiple cores that provide novel techniques to better understand mouse models of diabetes and its complications, an Animal Health and Welfare Core and a Research and Development program.

Vanderbilt Brain Institute (VBI)

The Vanderbilt Brain Institute (VBI) oversees and facilitates the extensive neuroscience-related endeavors carried out at Vanderbilt University by promoting research, education and training.

Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research (VCAR)

The VCAR was established in 2016 to facilitate multidisciplinary research into the underpinnings of addiction.

Vanderbilt Data Science Institute

Vanderbilt Data Science is Advancing AI and Data Science through cross-disciplinary research, innovative education, and community impact.

Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology

The mission of the Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology is to learn more about the biology of stem cells and mechanisms for directing their differentiation to specific cell fates.

Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology (CSB)

The CSB is dedicated to enabling and proliferating research with the goal of determining the 3D structure of biological macromolecules at or near atomic resolution.

Vanderbilt Genetics Institute (VGI)

The mission of the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute is to promote genomic discovery and advance understanding of the human genome.

Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC)

The VICC conducts basic, translational and clinical research and offers adult and pediatric oncology treatment.

Vanderbilt Institute for Obesity and Metabolism (VIOM)

The VIOM provides opportunities for synergy and collaboration among basic scientists, clinicians, and public health professionals at Vanderbilt and its community partners. Another key role of the Obesity Program is to provide a base of expertise for public (community) education, policy development and advocacy.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC)

The VKC focuses on elucidating mechanisms and interventions for persons with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, genetic syndromes, and acquired and general IDD.