Genetics & Genomics

Jennifer (Piper) Below, PhD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
March 19, 2025

Jennifer Below named director of Vanderbilt Genetics Institute

The Vanderbilt Genetics Institute is the intellectual hub for genomics research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University.

By John Howser
VUMC’s new automated biobanking system can store as many as 10 million biospecimens.
March 19, 2025

Alliance for Genomic Discovery completes 250,000 whole genomes to accelerate drug discovery

The milestone creates one of the largest, most comprehensive clinical genomic datasets of its kind; multiomic data to be added in next phase of program

By VUMC News and Communications
From left, 2024 Vanderbilt Prize winner Sarah Tishkoff and Vanderbilt Prize Student Scholar Kimberlyn Ellis. (photo by Susan Urmy)
March 10, 2025

Evolution, genomics and disease: a very special Discovery Lecture

Sarah Tishkoff described her groundbreaking research during a talk titled “African Evolutionary Genomics: Reconstructing Human Evolution and the Genetic Basis of Complex Adaptive Traits.”

By Bill Snyder
Sarah Tishkoff, PhD
February 13, 2025

Vanderbilt Prize winner to discuss ‘evolutionary genomics’ on March 6

Tishkoff’s groundbreaking research at the University of Pennsylvania has broad implications for understanding and treating human disease.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
February 3, 2025

VUMC study takes closer look at how pulmonary fibrosis unfolds

The research could point to future therapeutic strategies that treat PF patients based on their individual stage of cellular and molecular remodeling.

By Nancy Humphrey
(iStock)
January 15, 2025

Study in multiancestry populations uncovers new insights into breast cancer genetics 

The study identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not previously reported.

By Tom Wilemon
January 15, 2025

Alzheimer’s study details abnormal gene expression tied to blood vessel growth

The study sets out how gene expression that drives the formation of new blood vessels exhibits different patterns, cell by cell, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
By Paul Govern
December 19, 2024

Proteomic signature a key to early detection of fatty liver disease: study

Currently, methods to detect early, obesity-related accumulation of fat in the liver other than a liver biopsy — the surgical removal of liver tissue for microscopic examination — are limited. But there is hope.
By Bill Snyder
December 18, 2024

VUMC part of multisite team investigating genetic markers of anorexia nervosa

With funding from the newly established Sarah Kyle Anorexia Nervosa Research Foundation, the researchers hope to identify biomarkers that will point to novel targets for prevention and treatment.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 10, 2024

Study identifies that higher West African ancestry may contribute to worse breast cancer outcomes 

The study found that West African genetic ancestry was associated with shorter disease-free survival, particularly for women with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.
By Tom Wilemon
December 10, 2024

Therapy for genetic epilepsy in children showing promise

Preliminary results of a clinical trial of 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) “show a significant reduction in seizure activity among participants.”
By Bill Snyder
November 27, 2024

Vanderbilt scientists discover shared genetic foundations between musical rhythm and human language

The study revealed overlapping genetic underpinnings between rhythm-related skills and language-related traits, including dyslexia.
By Danny Bonvissuto
November 26, 2024

Novel genetics approach enhances discovery of disease risk genes

VUMC researchers applied the new approach to large GWAS datasets for breast, prostate and lung cancers, and three brain disorders.
By Leigh MacMillan
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