national science foundation

October 17, 2019

Microscopic spines connect worm neurons

Worm neurons have microscopic “spines” — where nerve-to-nerve communication happens — that share features with mammalian neurons, supporting the use of worms to study spine genetics and biology.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 9, 2019

Frog fungus fights back

Louise Rollins-Smith and colleagues are exploring how a deadly fungus counters the amphibian immune response and contributes to declining worldwide amphibian populations.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 17, 2019

Signals from the “conveyor belt”

Vanderbilt researchers propose that cellular signaling pathways are amplified by a “conveyor belt” mechanism that exchanges active and inactive enzymes.

By Bill Snyder
December 13, 2018

Breast cancer-killing RIG

A compound that activates a virus-sensing receptor has potent therapeutic effects in a mouse model of breast cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 5, 2018

Study reveals frogs bouncing back in Panama

A new study reports that some Central American frog species are recovering from a deadly fungal epidemic, perhaps because they have better defenses against the pathogen.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 20, 2018

Vanderbilt’s Gavin Price receives NSF CAREER Award

The National Science Foundation has awarded a Faculty Early Career Development Grant to Gavin R. Price, assistant professor of psychology at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College.

By VUMC News and Communications
December 5, 2017

DNA damage repair: molecular insights

Structural details about a protein involved in the repair of damaged DNA provide insight into xeroderma pigmentosum disorders, which are characterized by increased risk for skin cancer.
By VUMC News and Communications
September 29, 2017

Novel insights to antibiotic targets

New mechanistic details about the DNA-unwinding activity of antibacterial protein targets could lead to the design of better antibiotic medicines.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 3, 2017

Bacterial signaling systems

Vanderbilt researchers have identified a unique example of communication between bacterial signaling systems, which may have relevance for antibiotic resistance.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 7, 2015

NSF award goes to Fisk geneticist following VU post-doc training

The partnership with Fisk through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program and other avenues, “presents us with an opportunity to see the results of our efforts impact an under-served community."
By VUMC News and Communications
April 30, 2015

RNA defects in multiple sclerosis

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that profound defects exist in the integrity of structural RNA molecules in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
By Leigh MacMillan