Leigh MacMillan

August 25, 2016

New fund honors spirit of Cohen’s innovative research

When Tom Daniel, M.D., joined the Vanderbilt University faculty in December 1986, Stanley Cohen, Ph.D., had just been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of epidermal growth factor (EGF).

By Leigh MacMillan
August 15, 2016

In search of new asthma therapies

A peptide molecule relaxes airway smooth muscle and may be a potential therapeutic for asthma that has become resistant to standard therapies.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 12, 2016

New culprit in nerve degeneration

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that regulation of cell volume plays a role in nerve degeneration and peripheral neuropathies.

By Leigh MacMillan
Pregnant woman holding pill pack
August 3, 2016

Fetal impact of antidepressants

Antidepressant use during pregnancy is common. Fetal exposure to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with the life-threatening condition PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn), but a causal link has not been established.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 2, 2016

Refining neural circuitry

During development, neural circuits are remodeled – some synapses are eliminated and others are strengthened – to produce a mature, functional nervous system.

By Leigh MacMillan
lungs
July 28, 2016

Marrow cells’ role in pulmonary hypertension explored

Cells from the bone marrow participate in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and they can also protect against it, according to new findings from a team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 15, 2016

Work together to control diabetes

Parenting behaviors may be an important target for improving outcomes in adolescents with diabetes.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 23, 2016

VU takes key role in cancer drug discovery consortium

Vanderbilt University has been selected as one of seven Dedicated Centers in the nation for the next phase of the Chemical Biology Consortium (CBC), a national network of scientists on the leading edge of cancer drug discovery.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 6, 2016

Pulmonary fibrosis culprits

New findings identify isoketal-modified proteins as a previously unrecognized feature of pulmonary fibrosis and as a potential therapeutic target for this disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 2, 2016

Alzheimer’s risk gene in younger adults

A genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in later life appears to benefit younger adults as they age.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 19, 2016

Promise of discovery drives Biomedical Sciences graduates

In a twist on the usual research narrative, Justin Siemann, Ph.D., who celebrated his doctoral degree in Neuroscience at last week’s Graduate School Commencement, conducted research on patients first, and then moved to the laboratory bench.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 5, 2016

Current cancer drug discovery method flawed: VUMC study

The primary method used to test compounds for anti-cancer activity in cells is flawed, Vanderbilt University researchers reported May 2 in Nature Methods.
By Leigh MacMillan