Author: Leigh MacMillan

Studies by Andrew Glazer, PhD, Giovanni Davogustto, MD, and colleagues found that genetic testing with information from electronic health records can reveal undiagnosed heart rhythm disorders.

Studies combine genetic testing, electronic health records to find undiagnosed diseases

Apr. 28, 2022—Combining genetic testing with information from electronic health records revealed undiagnosed heart rhythm disorders and new conditions associated with inherited cancer gene mutations.

Calculating risk for uterine fibroids

Apr. 26, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have constructed a polygenic risk score for uterine fibroids that will be useful for exploring causes of these benign tumors and identifying novel drug targets and therapies.

Molecular testing across tumor types

Apr. 25, 2022—The KRAS inhibitor sotorasib is newly approved for one kind of lung cancer; Vanderbilt researchers ask if it should be considered for another type if the tumor has the gene mutation it targets.

Addiction researcher Nestler set for next Discovery Lecture

Apr. 13, 2022—Eric Nestler, MD, PhD, renowned for his studies of the molecular basis of drug addiction and depression, will deliver the next Discovery Lecture on Thursday, April 21.

A VUMC study found that following up with patients within the week after their hospital discharge as a stand-alone intervention has no impact on readmissions, mortality or patient satisfaction.

Financial impact of prior authorization

Apr. 12, 2022—Prior authorization — health insurer approval of a medical intervention prior to treatment — costs more than $40 million for U.S. academic radiation oncology practices, with questionable value added to patient care.

Peptides promote AFib arrhythmia

Apr. 11, 2022—Peptide oligomers have detrimental metabolic effects and cause pro-arrhythmic electrophysiological changes in heart atria, suggesting they may contribute to atrial fibrillation.

Eric Skaar, PhD, MPH, Hualiang Pi, PhD, and colleagues are studying a regulatory factor in the bacterium that causes the disease anthrax.

Study advances understanding of bacterial bioterrorism agent

Apr. 7, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have identified a critical regulatory factor in the bacterium that causes the disease anthrax and has been used as a biological weapon.

Stress in young adult cancer patients and caregivers

Mar. 24, 2022—Adolescent and young adult oncology patients and caregivers experience psychosocial impairment and financial toxicity at the time of cancer diagnosis, findings that will inform interventions to support patient and caregiver well-being.

Joseph Breeyear, left, Todd Edwards, PhD, and colleagues are studying how high blood pressure genes can improve heart surgery survival in children.

High blood pressure genes improve heart surgery survival in children

Mar. 24, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have found that children with a genetic makeup that predicts high blood pressure as adults are more likely to survive congenital heart defect repair surgery.

Discovery Lecture featuring Sánchez Alvarado returns to in-person format

Mar. 17, 2022—Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, PhD, executive director and chief scientific officer of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Missouri, will discuss tissue regeneration at the next Discovery Lecture, in person on Thursday, March 24 in 208 Light Hall.

Probing cancer cell invasion

Mar. 1, 2022—The rigidity of the extracellular matrix that surrounds cells impacts the contractile and invasive properties of head and neck cancer cells.