Author: Leigh MacMillan
Commensal gut bacterium protects from severe intestinal infection
Nov. 21, 2023— The commensal bacterium Turicibacter sanguinis could be used to protect against severe intestinal infections, Vanderbilt researchers discovered.
Novel C. diff structures are required for infection, offer new therapeutic targets
Nov. 15, 2023—Vanderbilt research discovers that iron storage “spheres” inside the bacterium C. diff — the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections — are important for infection in an animal model and could offer new targets for antibacterial drugs.
Study discovers role for gut bacteria in host-pathogen competition for nutrients
Oct. 27, 2023—Vanderbilt research shows that commensal gut microbes impact the host-pathogen competition for iron and has implications for therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing pathogens from acquiring essential nutrients.
Vanderbilt-led team receives 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
Oct. 24, 2023—A multidisciplinary team of investigators has received a 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research to support four closely linked projects exploring the fundamental mechanisms that drive the obesity-cancer connection,
Researchers discover molecular signature for aggressive thyroid cancer
Sep. 25, 2023—A Vanderbilt study found that a molecular signature that predicts aggressive thyroid cancer could help guide treatment approaches for patients.
Bone metabolism changes with aging
Sep. 14, 2023—Vanderbilt researchers have detailed how aging alters the metabolism of bone-forming cells, which could contribute to age-related osteoporosis.
Discovery lecture features computational cancer biologist Pe’er
Sep. 12, 2023—Dana Pe’er, PhD, a pioneer in using machine learning approaches to explore cell identities and interactions, will deliver the next Discovery Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 21.
MicroRNAs in immune cells help protect against metabolic defects in obesity: study
Sep. 5, 2023—Vanderbilt researchers have demonstrated that a cluster of microRNAs — small pieces of RNA that regulate gene expression — work in a type of immune cells called macrophages to help protect against metabolic defects in obesity.
Study finds hallmarks of T cell exhaustion within hours of tumor exposure
Aug. 3, 2023—Vanderbilt researchers found that T cells become “exhausted” within hours of encountering a tumor, challenging existing ideas about how T cells become dysfunctional.
Personalizing treatment for sinus syndrome
Aug. 2, 2023—Understanding the inflammatory characteristics of subtypes of chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps should assist with selection of effective therapies, Vanderbilt researchers report.
Signaling pathways in liposarcomas
Jul. 25, 2023—A broad bioinformatics approach revealed that Hedgehog signaling is upregulated in dedifferentiated liposarcoma, suggesting this pathway may be an early indicator of poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target.
Female health care workers more likely to leave profession during pandemic: HERO registry study
Jul. 13, 2023—Vanderbilt research finds that female health care workers were more likely to leave or intend to leave the profession compared to male health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
