Leigh MacMillan

brain and lightning
September 9, 2019

Astrocytes and epilepsy

A protein with important functions in astrocytes — star-shaped brain support cells — may alter neuronal excitability and contribute to seizure activity, Vanderbilt researchers report.

September 5, 2019

How salt increases blood pressure

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that a protein called SGK1 in immune cells is activated by sodium, leading to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.

September 4, 2019

Novel treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome being tested at VUMC

A novel treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome, one of the most common genetic causes of obesity, may improve the insatiable hunger that patients with the disorder experience.

Recipients of the 2019 Dean’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Graduate Studies are (front row, from left) Margaret Axelrod, Abigail Neininger, Alejandra Romero-Morales, Sheryl Vermudez, Demond Williams, and (back row, from left) James O’Connor, Manuel Castro, Matthew Cottam, Matthew Wleklinski, Michael Doyle and Azadeh Hadadianpour.
August 29, 2019

Exceptional graduate students honored with Dean’s Award

Eleven graduate students entering their fourth year of training have received the Dean’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Graduate Studies.

From left, Ryan Allen, PhD, MacRae Linton, MD, Kasey Vickers, PhD, Quanhu Sheng, PhD, and colleagues are working to create a new model of atherosclerosis development. (photo by Susan Urmy)
August 26, 2019

VUMC investigators receive Keck Foundation award for novel atherosclerosis research

A team of researchers has received a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation to explore a novel model of atherosclerosis development.

August 26, 2019

Cancer susceptibility genes

Gene variants associated with cancer risk appear to contribute to carcinogenesis by regulating target genes that in turn promote the generation of mutations.