Aliquots - Research Briefs

August 2, 2018

Connecting an asthma gene to leukemia

A receptor previously implicated in asthma may also play roles in other allergic diseases and in leukemia, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

By Leigh MacMillan
gloved hand handling sterile surgical tools
July 19, 2018

Post-surgical complications

One out of five deaths within 30 days of surgery are associated with a complication, suggesting that prevention and better treatment of common complications will improve postoperative mortality rates.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 19, 2018

Novel insights on “leaky” gut

A protein involved in binding cells together helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and plays a protective role in ulcerative colitis.

By Niyati Vachharajani
July 19, 2018

New player in DNA damage repair

New findings open opportunities to understand mechanisms of DNA repair for a toxic form of DNA damage.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 19, 2018

Fueling the MATE transporter

Vanderbilt researchers used spectroscopy to understand how a drug transporter pumps drugs out of cells, findings that are important for developing novel anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drugs that can overcome drug resistance.

By Sanjay Mishra
July 2, 2018

SMAD4 clue to colon cancer

Loss of a gene that is part of the TGF-beta signaling pathway increased inflammation in the colon and was observed in half of human colitis-associated cancers.

By Bill Snyder
July 2, 2018

Mother knows best

The first demonstration of bacterial DNA in mammalian fetal intestinal tissue suggests that the mother’s microbiome moves into the fetal intestine.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 29, 2018

Scavengers “protect” HDL

Jun. 29, 2018—Lipid molecules that bind to HDL can modify its function — and blocking that modification can protect HDL and potentially lower the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
By Bill Snyder
June 28, 2018

New staph virulence factor

Jun. 28, 2018—The new factor, an enzyme involved in host-pathogen interactions, may be a viable target for treating staph infections.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 13, 2018

Novel infection fighter

A drug in use clinically to help make vaccines more effective may be a powerful new tool for fighting antibiotic-resistant infections.
By Meredith Jackson
June 11, 2018

Confronting TB resistance

Vanderbilt researchers describe how certain tuberculosis treatments work and suggest these medications may overcome the threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
By Niyati Vachharajani
June 8, 2018

A “public” target for HIV

Common sequences of antibodies against HIV may be key to developing a successful vaccine strategy for the virus.
By Bill Snyder
June 7, 2018

Enzyme protects against obesity-related heart disease

Vanderbilt scientists have discovered that a certain enzyme plays a crucial role in preventing obesity-related cardiac dysfunction.
By Sanjay Mishra