Leigh MacMillan

May 27, 2014

Respiratory virus vaccine candidate

Virus-like particles containing a protein from human metapneumovirus are a promising vaccine candidate for this respiratory virus.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 23, 2014

Repair protein’s DNA recognition motif

Insights into the workings of DNA damage response proteins such as SMARCAL1 could suggest new ways to improve genome integrity and prevent cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 15, 2014

Biomedical Sciences graduates driven by promise of discovery

Most people probably don’t think much about the chemical compound that flavors curries and gives the Indian spice turmeric its yellow color. For Odaine Gordon, Ph.D., who celebrated his doctoral degree at last week’s Graduate School commencement, this compound — called curcumin — has special significance.

By Leigh MacMillan
Heart illustration thumbnail
May 12, 2014

Normalizing calcium flux to treat atrial fibrillation

A particular anti-arrhythmia drug provides a targeted treatment for certain forms of atrial fibrillation.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 8, 2014

PET probe detects dying tumor cells

A novel PET imaging probe detects tumor cell death in vivo and could be useful for personalizing cancer medicine.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 30, 2014

Potential mechanism for myeloma drug’s variable toxicity

A genetic variant is associated with toxicity of the chemotherapy drug melphalan, and could guide individualized dosing for the medication.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 28, 2014

Target cell entry to halt Chikungunya virus

Understanding how chikungunya virus binds to and enters cells offers a new target for antiviral medications.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 25, 2014

Increased cell permeability may protect from colitis

Having a “leaky” gut may protect against colitis, a paradoxical finding that alters understanding of the role of cell permeability in intestinal homeostasis and immune regulation.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 24, 2014

New view of neurotransmitter transport

Dynamic measurements of the bacterial leucine transporter shed light on the transporters that play roles in neuropsychiatric and addiction disorders.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 17, 2014

Nutrient-absorbing surface’s assembly revealed: study

Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered how intestinal cells build the "brush border" -- a specialized surface structure that is critical for absorbing nutrients and defending against pathogens.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 15, 2014

Anthrax bacteria’s signaling systems

Vanderbilt researchers have identified a new signaling system that anthrax bacteria uses to infect its host.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 11, 2014

Myelin junctions key to conduction

A protein in the myelin coating on nerves helps form a “seal” that enables effective nerve conduction; loss of the protein causes inherited neuropathies.
By Leigh MacMillan