Strategic Plan

September 29, 2016

BMI genotype and breast cancer risk

For breast cancer prevention, a new study provides evidence for lifestyle modification to reduce weight gain in adults.

By Paul Govern
September 28, 2016

Targeting norovirus “noxiousness”

New discoveries will guide efforts to develop vaccines or antiviral agents for norovirus, the most common cause of infectious diarrhea.

By Bill Snyder
hand on radio tuning knob
August 11, 2016

Team explores transcription factor’s autoimmunity role

Increasing expression of a transcription factor called KLF2 can promote immunological self-tolerance and “tune down” autoimmunity, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported recently.

By Bill Snyder
goofy toy disguise
August 11, 2016

Research team takes aim at Ebola virus ‘decoy protein’

Using an antibody generated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that neutralizes the Ebola virus, researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, have determined the structure of a “decoy” protein that may enable the virus to evade detection by the immune system.

By Bill Snyder
August 11, 2016

Timing, teamwork key for young liver transplant patient

Antwane Cole Jr., known as “AJ” to friends and family, began his summer playing football and enjoying his favorite superhero, Spiderman.

By Christina Echegaray
Oxygen on periodic table
August 11, 2016

Study explores low oxygen’s impact on antibody quality

Hypoxia (lack of enough oxygen) is bad for the body as a whole, but in the neighborhood where infection-fighting antibodies arise, may be important for keeping proper order.

By Bill Snyder
June 30, 2016

Open-source instructions for focused ultrasound provide cancer research boost

Vanderbilt University’s William Grissom and Charles Caskey are throwing open doors with a do-it-yourself, open-source software and hardware guide to enabling existing imaging machines with focused ultrasound technology.
By VUMC News and Communications
June 22, 2016

Blake, Winder to lead national search committee for Vanderbilt Brain Institute director

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente has appointed an 18-member committee of faculty and students to conduct the national search for the Barlow Family Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute chaired by Randolph Blake, Centennial Professor of Psychology, and Danny Winder, director for the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 19, 2016

VUMC to be site for national malnutrition study

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is the test site for a nationwide initiative to address the longstanding problem of malnutrition in hospital patients.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 9, 2016

Search launched for director of Vanderbilt Brain Institute; Emeson to serve as interim

A national search will be launched this fall for the Barlow Family Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente announced today. Current VBI Associate Director Ron Emeson will begin a term as interim director effective July 1.
By VUMC News and Communications
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
April 29, 2016

Improving natural killer cancer therapy

A newly discovered mechanism that helps cancer cells avoid destruction by immune system cells may improve immunotherapies.
By Sanjay Mishra
April 28, 2016

Study sheds light on link between autism, GI issues

Researchers at Columbia and Vanderbilt universities have made an important discovery in mice that has implications for understanding the gastrointestinal (GI) problems experienced by some children with autism.
By Bill Snyder