Donna Webb

Electrical circuit with various components interfaced with a brain
December 6, 2016

Blood-brain barrier on a chip sheds new light on “silent killer”

A new microfluidic device containing human cells that faithfully mimics the behavior of the blood-brain barrier is providing new insights into brain inflammation, the silent killer.

By VUMC News and Communications
glowing brain cell
October 27, 2016

Bioluminescent sensor causes brain cells to glow in the dark

A team of Vanderbilt scientists have genetically modified luciferase, the enzyme that produces bioluminescence, so that it acts as an optical sensor that records activity in brain cells.

By VUMC News and Communications
May 1, 2015

New player in neuronal communication

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a novel mechanism for the development of dendritic spines – sites of nerve cell communication.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 19, 2015

‘Stretched’ cells promote cancer

Mechanical stress appears to be a critical factor in activating normal tissue-associated fibroblasts to generate cancer-associated fibroblasts.

By Leigh MacMillan
chip closeup
November 18, 2014

Vanderbilt’s neurovascular chip project moves into new phase

Vanderbilt researchers will play a key role in the second phase of the federal “tissue chip for drug screening” program.

By VUMC News and Communications
microbrain
July 24, 2012

Vanderbilt-led team to develop ‘microbrain’ to improve drug testing

Creating a device out of human cells that simulates brain chemistry is the goal of a $6.4 million grant which is part of major new federal initiative to develop a series of “organs on a chip” designed to improve the drug development process.

By VUMC News and Communications