Department of Cell and Developmental Biology

Ken Lau, PhD, left, and Bob Coffey, MD, have made several important discoveries about colorectal cancer that are aiding the search for new, more effective therapies. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Colorectal cancer ‘cartography’ reveals an avenue to improved immunotherapy

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have discovered why most colorectal tumors escape detection and destruction by the body’s immune system.

Novel C. diff structures are required for infection, offer new therapeutic targets

Vanderbilt research discovers that iron storage “spheres” inside the bacterium C. diff — the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections — are important for infection in an animal model and could offer new targets for antibacterial drugs.

By Leigh MacMillan

September 12, 2023

Discovery lecture features computational cancer biologist Pe’er

Dana Pe’er, PhD, a pioneer in using machine learning approaches to explore cell identities and interactions, will deliver the next Discovery Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 21.

By Leigh MacMillan

Maureen Gannon, PhD, center, with Emilyn Alejandro, PhD, associate professor of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota, left, and Maria Golson, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, a former postdoctoral fellow of Gannon’s.

July 10, 2023

Gannon receives career achievement award for islet biology research

Vanderbilt’s Maureen Gannon, PhD, received the Paul Lacy Medal Award, the highest honor given by the Midwest Islet Club in recognition of meritorious career achievement in the field of islet biology.

By Jill Clendening

In this 3D projected still image from a precision cut lung slice, alveolar epithelial cells are labeled green. All other cells are seen in purple.

July 5, 2023

Vanderbilt researchers envision the potential to grow new lungs

Using a four-dimensional microscope that allows them to watch a tissue putting itself together, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have achieved a rare feat in science — they have shattered a long-standing dogma about how the lung develops.