Bill Snyder

Contributors to the COVID-19 microbiome study include (front row, from left) Julie Bastarache, MD, Meghan Shilts, MS, MHS, (middle row, from left) Jodell Jackson, PhD, Suman Das, PhD, Angela Jones, MS, (back row, from left) Jonathan Schmitz, PhD, MD, Simon Mallal, MBBS, and Jordan Best, PhD.
March 11, 2021

‘Friendly’ bacteria may impact COVID severity

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded Vanderbilt University Medical Center a two-year, $3.7-million contract to determine genetic and bacterial factors that may increase the risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder
March 11, 2021

Discovery Lecture to feature geriatric medicine expert Cassel

Christine Cassel, MD, a leading expert in geriatric medicine, medical ethics and the quality of care, will deliver the next web-based Discovery Lecture on Thursday, March 25, at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

By Bill Snyder
March 4, 2021

Monoclonal antibody “cocktail” blocks COVID-19 variants: study

A monoclonal antibody “cocktail” developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to neutralize the COVID-19 virus is effective against all known strains, or variants, of the virus, according to a report published today in the journal Nature Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
March 4, 2021

Chikungunya antibody identified at VUMC moves forward

Evotec, a drug company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, has begun a phase 1 clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody against the chikungunya virus that was identified at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Bill Snyder
February 11, 2021

Clinical Trials Unit lands major grant renewal

Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received renewal of a major federal grant to continue their collaboration to test and develop new treatments and vaccines against HIV/AIDS — and now COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder
February 11, 2021

Gastroenterologist Merchant set for Discovery Lecture

Juanita Merchant, MD, PhD, a nationally known gastroenterologist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, will discuss cellular changes that occur prior to gastric cancer during the next web-based Discovery Lecture.

By Bill Snyder
February 10, 2021

More than 1,000 receive antibody infusions for COVID-19 at VUMC

As of Feb. 1,065 outpatients have received antibody infusions since the clinic opened on Nov. 18. Clinic officials estimated that the infusions have prevented about 70 patients from developing severe COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization or emergency department evaluation.
By Bill Snyder
February 4, 2021

New clue to postural tachycardia

Insight into the pathophysiology of an enigmatic and debilitating disease suggests new treatment approaches.
By Bill Snyder
January 28, 2021

Study’s findings may help eventually close the door on COVID-19

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston have discovered what may be the Achilles’ heel of the coronavirus, a finding that may help close the door on COVID-19 and possibly head off future pandemics.
By Bill Snyder
January 21, 2021

NIH grant bolsters research on heart disease, cholesterol

Thanks to major funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made major inroads in understanding how high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as good cholesterol, in some cases may actually contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
By Bill Snyder
January 21, 2021

Study finds genetic clues to pneumonia risk and COVID-19 disparities

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues have identified genetic factors that increase the risk for developing pneumonia and its severe, life-threatening consequences.
By Bill Snyder
January 14, 2021

Bick selected as first VUMC Discovery Scholar in Health and Medicine

Alexander Bick, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Genetic Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been selected as the first VUMC Discovery Scholar in Health and Medicine.
By Bill Snyder