Author: Leigh MacMillan

Inflammation in genetic epilepsy

Jan. 21, 2021—Brain inflammation links genetic and acquired epilepsy — providing new clues about epilepsy development and pointing to potential treatments.

doctor checking patient's blood pressure

Mitochondrial stress and hypertension

Jan. 12, 2021—Oxidative stress and toxic products called isolevuglandins in mitochondria play a role in endothelial dysfunction and hypertension — and getting rid of them with a special “scavenger” molecule has therapeutic potential.

Microbial RNA and rheumatoid arthritis

Jan. 11, 2021—Small RNAs — short stretches of genetic material — from microbes may be playing a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Functional seizures associated with stroke, psychiatric disorders in electronic health records study

Jan. 7, 2021—In a large-scale study of electronic health records, Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators have determined the prevalence of functional seizures and characterized comorbidities associated with them.

UT Southwestern’s Rosen up next in Discovery Lecture Series

Dec. 22, 2020—Michael Rosen, PhD, professor and chair of Biophysics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, will discuss mysterious cellular compartments known as “biomolecular condensates” during the next web-based Discovery Lecture.

Ann Richmond, MD, Chi Yan, PhD, Jinming Yang, PhD, and colleagues are studying ways to boost antitumor immunity and reduce tumor growth in breast cancer and melanoma.

Study reveals new strategy for reducing tumor growth, metastasis

Dec. 17, 2020—A team of Vanderbilt investigators has discovered that blocking a certain signaling pathway boosts antitumor immunity and reduces tumor growth and metastasis in models of breast cancer and melanoma.

Polymer protection for heart muscle

Dec. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt researchers demonstrate that the polymer P188 has promise as a therapy to prevent reperfusion injury — the cellular damage that occurs when blood flow returns after an ischemic event like a heart attack.

C. Henrique Serezani, PhD, right, and colleagues, from left, Amondrea Blackman, Nathan Klopfenstein and Júlia Miranda Ribeiro Bazzano are studying the early events of the inflammatory response to infection.

Study details early events of inflammatory response

Dec. 10, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators have identified a key molecular player in the early events of the inflammatory response to infection. The findings suggest new therapeutic possibilities for enhancing the inflammatory response to protect against pathogens and for blocking inflammation gone awry in diseases like arthritis and atherosclerosis.