Luc Van Kaer

January 12, 2023

Study may lead to new diabetes, heart disease treatments

Vanderbilt research found that deletion of an autophagy-participating factor named PIK3C3 from the fat cells of mice led to compromised body temperature control, abnormal blood lipid levels, fatty liver and diabetes.

By Bill Snyder
Luc Van Kaer, PhD, left, Luke Postoak and colleagues have identified a protein that is key to the “education” of immature T cells in the thymus.
September 1, 2022

Study identifies key player in T cell “education”

New Vanderbilt research could inform therapeutic strategies for enhancing thymic function when desired — such as during aging, recovery from radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or other conditions that reduce T cell output.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 17, 2019

Less inflammation = better healing

Immune cells that produce an anti-inflammatory factor are enriched in fat tissue around the heart and may be good targets to improve heart attack outcomes.

By Bill Snyder
November 20, 2017

15 faculty members elected as AAAS fellows

Fifteen Vanderbilt faculty members conducting a range of biomedical and clinical research have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Six of the 15 have received funding through the university’s Trans-Institutional Programs initiative, which facilitates research and teaching collaborations across disciplines and are a core pillar of the university’s Academic Strategic Plan.

By Bill Snyder
July 20, 2017

Immune responses linked to cell’s recycling system

Autophagy is the cellular equivalent of trash pickup and recycling — it is a process by which proteins, protein aggregates and damaged cellular organelles are degraded in order to reuse nutrients and promote cellular metabolism.

By Bill Snyder
discarded clothing size tags
October 16, 2014

Lymphocyte study reveals obesity clues

Vanderbilt University researchers are closer to understanding the link between obesity, chronic inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

By Bill Snyder
October 9, 2014

Immune cells that guard against ingested pathogens discovered

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a new type of immune cell residing in the intestinal epithelium that may function as a first line of defense against ingested pathogens.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 28, 2013

Probing intestinal immune cell roles

A new in vitro system will allow investigators to explore how immune system T cells develop specialized functions.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 30, 2012

Event celebrates Vanderbilt endowed chair holders

Twelve Vanderbilt University faculty members were honored for extraordinary contributions to their respective fields during an Aug. 28 celebration of endowed chair holders at the Student Life Center.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 11, 2011

Balancing act in the gut

Vanderbilt researchers have identified an antigen important to balancing the immune response to bacteria in the gut.
By Leigh MacMillan