Genetics & Genomics

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April 1, 2024

Cell-specific variations in gene regulation may be key to treating pulmonary fibrosis

An international research team co-led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center has revealed how variations in gene regulation in different cell types drive pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive respiratory disorder characterized by scarring and loss of functional lung tissue.

By Bill Snyder
March 27, 2024

Higher genetic risk of obesity means working out harder for same results 

Study authors used activity, clinical and genetic data from the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program to explore the association of genetic risk of higher body mass index and the level of physical activity needed to reduce incident obesity. 

By Craig Boerner
(Adobestock)
March 26, 2024

Beethoven’s genes reveal low predisposition for beat synchronization

What the exceptional composer’s DNA tells us about genetics

By Craig Boerner
March 8, 2024

Douglas Ruderfer to direct new Center for Digital Genomic Medicine

Douglas Ruderfer, PhD, whose research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center explores the intersection of genomics, biomedical informatics and psychiatry, has been named director of a newly established Center for Digital Genomic Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
February 21, 2024

Large, diverse genetic study of glaucoma implicates vascular and cancer-related genes

An international genetic study using multiancestry biobanks has identified novel genetic locations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma and the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 19, 2024

VUMC part of major step to achieving precision medicine

An analysis of genomic data from nearly 250,000 participants in the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program has identified more than 275 million previously unreported genetic variations, nearly 4 million of which have potential health consequences.

By Bill Snyder
January 5, 2024

The Alliance for Genomic Discovery welcomes Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK and Novo Nordisk

Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK and Novo Nordisk are the newest members of the Alliance for Genomic Discovery.
December 4, 2023

New study uses genetic data to support use of thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center genetic association study of more than 1 million adults supports the use of the common blood thinner medication thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention.
By Danny Bonvissuto
November 15, 2023

Study finds many patients don’t seek more health services after receiving genetic screening results

A study by Vanderbilt researchers found that more than half of the patients who receive the results of genetic tests might not be impelled to seek more services than they're already receiving.
By Paul Govern
November 14, 2023

Landmark academic-industry partnership harvests human genome “fruits” for research

The first fruits of a landmark academic-industry partnership that is harvesting the depth and breadth of the human genome to better understand and treat disease will become available to researchers in the spring of 2024.
By Bill Snyder
November 10, 2023

After 40 years, genetics still surprises VUMC’s Nancy Cox

As she looks back on her 40-plus year career, what surprises Nancy Cox, PhD, an internationally known geneticist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is how much progress has been made, and yet how much more there is to learn about the role genetic variation plays in human disease.
By Bill Snyder
October 31, 2023

Polygenic “scores” may improve cancer screening

Accounting for genetic variability in biomarkers not associated with cancer risk could avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures, Vanderbilt researchers found.
By Bill Snyder
October 5, 2023

Kidney disease gene also has a protective mutation

African Americans have long been known to be at increased risk of kidney disease due to a dangerous genetic mutation that creates a hole in the kidney cells, but Vanderbilt researchers have now discovered a protective genetic mutation that covers the hole to eliminate the risk.
By Craig Boerner
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