NCCIH

Jennifer Pilat, left, Sarah Short, PhD, Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, and colleagues are studying a biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
February 4, 2021

Potential biomarker for IBD severity, cancer risk identified

A selenium transport protein produced in the colon may be a novel biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

By Leigh MacMillan
yogurt
August 8, 2019

A probiotic treatment for obesity?

Engineered bacteria that produce beneficial compounds — and that could potentially be administered in foods like yogurt — may be a future treatment for obesity and other chronic diseases.

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
July 19, 2018

Novel insights on “leaky” gut

A protein involved in binding cells together helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and plays a protective role in ulcerative colitis.

By Niyati Vachharajani
July 2, 2018

SMAD4 clue to colon cancer

Loss of a gene that is part of the TGF-beta signaling pathway increased inflammation in the colon and was observed in half of human colitis-associated cancers.

By Bill Snyder
January 16, 2018

A spicy finding

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that curcumin — the active ingredient in the spice turmeric — needs to be metabolically activated to exert anti-inflammatory effects.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 18, 2017

Calcium intake and colorectal cancer

Calcium intake appears to protect against colorectal cancer in individuals with certain gene variants, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 20, 2017

NSAIDs, genetics and miscarriage

A certain genetic variant, in combination with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen during early pregnancy, may protect women from miscarriage.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 15, 2017

Inhibiting obesity

An enzyme in the gut – NAPE-PLD – is required for the action of signaling molecules that reduce food intake and weight gain.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 17, 2017

New target for colorectal cancer

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered that activated epidermal growth factor receptor may be a target for therapies to prevent colorectal cancer development.
By VUMC News and Communications
February 2, 2017

New target for chronic infection

An enzyme in macrophage immune cells may be a good target for treating chronic infections, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
By VUMC News and Communications