Center for Human Genetics Research Archive — Page 1 of 2

September 26, 2014

Biomarker for diabetic eye disease

A person’s mitochondrial gene “signature” could predict risk for diabetic retinopathy and guide early intervention strategies.

Illustration of a glowing purple neuron with a rounded central cell body and numerous branching projections against a vivid pink background.
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.

Multiple blue-toned sagittal MRI scans of the human brain arranged together, with white technical labels overlaid.
February 28, 2014

Imaging guides Alzheimer gene search

Using imaging data, Vanderbilt researchers discovered an association between a gene pair and brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease.

Heart illustration thumbnail
February 10, 2014

Keeping the beat after heart surgery

Variation in the gene for the beta-1 adrenergic receptor increases the risk that a patient will have an abnormal heart rhythm after cardiac surgery.

Collage-style group portrait showing a diverse group of adults of varied ages and backgrounds wearing colorful clothing and smiling.
November 22, 2013

What makes us human?

Using computational tools to search for the genetic basis of what makes us human, Vanderbilt Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics Tony Capra and colleagues at the University of California-San Francisco have identified promising candidate regions.

A black horse pulls a small enclosed horse-drawn carriage along a paved road beside broad agricultural fields.
November 11, 2013

Amish aid study of Parkinson genetics

Amish populations are valuable for genetic research because of their isolation, shared ancestry and homogeneous lifestyles.