Leigh MacMillan Archive — Page 2 of 85

The rod-shaped pathogen C. diff must overcome a variety of threats to survive and grow in the gut. (illustration by Adobe Stock)
September 9, 2026

C. diff coordinates threat response to survive in gut

It’s critical to understand how C. diff adapts to environmental stressors in the gut in order to identify novel antimicrobial targets.

Five members of a research team pose in a laboratory, with shelves of supplies, laboratory equipment, and a molecular biology poster in the background. Annet Kirabo stands at front center.
September 7, 2026

Researchers identify new therapeutic target for salt-sensitive hypertension

The Vanderbilt Health team discovered that a signaling pathway called AP-1 complex links dietary sodium to immune-driven salt-sensitivity of blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

WeGo Public Transit logo with three purple squares and two purple circles beside the words “WeGo Public Transit.”
August 17, 2026

QuickTicket replacing employee ID for free WeGo public transit benefit

Starting Aug. 24, the institution is transitioning from using employee badges to using the QuickTicket by WeGo app or a physical QuickTicket card.

Glowing blue holographic wireframe of a human liver hovering above a futuristic circular platform.
August 14, 2026

EHR-embedded tool extracts liver stiffness values to prevent gaps in care

Vanderbilt Health researchers developed a natural language processing tool that can efficiently identify patients with liver disease and streamline assessment for treatments.

kidney stones
August 12, 2026

Study points to new therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease

Researchers showed that blocking the protein cadherin-11 improved survival and kidney function in three kidney injury models.

Three masked medical professionals perform open-heart surgery in an operating room, surrounded by monitoring equipment, surgical instruments, tubing, and a heart-lung machine labeled “PLS-EMC.”
August 10, 2026

Molecular mapping reveals hidden cellular programs in heart transplant rejection

Study provides a unique resource to guide future research on acute rejection diagnosis, therapeutic response prediction, and risk for chronic rejection.