Genetics & Genomics

July 26, 2018

Vanderbilt study links gene expression, disease association data

An international team of researchers has integrated gene expression and disease association data to better understand the biological mechanisms of complex human diseases.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 14, 2018

Shared genetics may shape treatment options for certain brain disorders

Symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including psychosis, depression and manic behavior, have both shared and distinguishing genetic factors, an international consortium led by researchers from Vanderbilt University and Virginia Commonwealth University is reporting.

By Bill Snyder
May 7, 2018

Study provides robust evidence of sex differences with Alzheimer’s gene

The APOE gene, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, may play a more prominent role in disease development among women than men, according to new research from the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center.

By Tom Wilemon
May 4, 2018

New breast cancer targets

A special genetic analysis has revealed candidate genes associated with increased risk of breast cancer.

By Bill Snyder
May 3, 2018

Gene study spots clues to heart risk for statin patients

A Vanderbilt-led research team has discovered genetic variations that increase the risk of heart attack even when patients are receiving a statin drug like Lipitor or Crestor to lower their blood cholesterol.

By Bill Snyder
January 25, 2018

Personalized drug prescribing program expands, upgrades

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has expanded and relaunched genetic testing to predict patient responses to drugs.

By Paul Govern
June 29, 2017

Genetics of lung cancer survival

Vanderbilt investigators have conducted a first-of-its-kind genome-wide association study of lung cancer survival in African-Americans.
By Sanjay Mishra
January 12, 2017

Investigators apply game theory to study of genomic privacy

It comes down to privacy — biomedical research can’t proceed without human genomic data sharing, and genomic data sharing can’t proceed without some reasonable level of assurance that de-identified data from patients and other research participants will stay de-identified after they’re released for research.
By Paul Govern
December 22, 2016

Discovery sheds new light on Angelman, Prader-Willi syndromes

A mutation associated with epilepsy and autism also is responsible for a “pale eye” trait in two rare genetic disorders, Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, neuroscientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported this week.
By Meredith Jackson
March 31, 2016

Study looks at doctors’ response to genetic testing

A new clinical implementation study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center measures how physicians have responded to the introduction of routine genetic testing to predict patient response to the commonly prescribed antiplatelet drug clopidogrel.
By Paul Govern
March 17, 2016

Study explores gene’s role in protecting HIV patients from TB

An international research team led by scientists from Vanderbilt University Medical Center has identified a genetic variant that protects people with HIV from developing active tuberculosis. The variant is near the gene encoding the infection-fighting cytokine IL-12.
By Bill Snyder
July 9, 2015

VUMC lands major pharmacogenomics grant

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received a five-year, $12.8 million grant from the federal government to develop better ways to predict how patients will respond to the drugs they’re given.
By Bill Snyder
November 6, 2014

Cox to lead trans-institutional genetics efforts

Nancy J. Cox, Ph.D., professor of Medicine and Human Genetics and chief of the Section of Genetic Medicine at the University of Chicago, has been appointed founding director of a new genetics institute at Vanderbilt University, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
By Bill Snyder