The research characterizes the molecular “cargo” of circulating extracellular vesicles in obesity and links the findings to human genetic approaches to identify potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disease.

The new Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory launched its first phase of testing June 26 and ultimately will fully support clinical testing for the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, the nation’s third busiest transplant center by volume.

The analysis of genetic sequencing data from more than 34,000 people over a 17-year period by researchers at VUMC was published in eClinicalMedicine.

The children were born in Turkey with a smaller-than-normal head size, cataracts, severe developmental delay, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Even after comprehensive testing, about 30% of children with short stature — height below the third percentile on a growth chart — do not have a definitive diagnosis, leading to extended surveillance, testing and anxiety.

The findings represent a significant advance toward development of more effective, targeted therapies for congenital diarrhea and enteropathies

The research is another step toward development of targeted therapies aimed at reducing the incidence and medical burden of this common condition.