Genetics & Genomics

September 2, 2021

Study shows gene-drug interactions are common

When a drug or combination of drugs causes different responses in different people, genetic variation is often at play. Pharmacogenomics, through discovery of genetic risk and use of clinical genotyping, aims to reduce trial-and-error approaches to drug prescribing.

By Paul Govern
From left, Dan Roden, MD, Ayesha Muhammad, Jonathan Mosley, MD, PhD, and Sara Van Driest, MD, PhD, found that a genome-wide approach can improve the prediction of drug responses.
July 22, 2021

For more precise drug treatments, ‘squeeze’ the genome: study finds

Large-scale studies will be required to identify the complexity of genetic variations that affect how patients respond to a given drug and whether they will have side effects, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Bill Snyder
July 8, 2021

Study finds genetic risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness

A massive worldwide collaboration including researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has identified several genetic factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 illness.

By Bill Snyder
July 8, 2021

Genetics of hydrocephalus

Fluid build-up in the brain — hydrocephalus — increases pressure and risk for brain damage; Vanderbilt researchers have now identified genes and signaling pathways associated with the condition.

By Leigh MacMillan
From left, Scott Borinstein, MD, PhD, Jonathan Mosley, MD, PhD, and Sara Van Driest, MD, PhD, found that some healthy African Americans are having bone marrow biopsies they don’t need. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
June 28, 2021

Gene variant linked to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies in African Americans

A gene variant that lowers white blood cell levels and is common in individuals with African ancestry contributes to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies, according to a study published June 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 16, 2021

VUMC joins national effort to improve disease prediction in diverse populations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center will participate in a new federal initiative aimed at improving the use of polygenic risk scores (PRS) to predict complex diseases in diverse populations.

By Bill Snyder
June 3, 2021

Predictive model identifies patients for genetic testing

Patients who, perhaps unbeknownst to their health care providers, are in need of genetic testing for rare undiagnosed diseases can be identified en masse based on routine information in electronic health records (EHRs), a research team reported June 3 in the journal Nature Medicine.
By Paul Govern
May 13, 2021

People at high genetic risk for colorectal cancer benefit more from lifestyle changes

People with a high polygenic risk score for colorectal cancer could benefit more at preventing the disease by leading healthy lifestyles than those at lower genetic risk, according to a study by Vanderbilt researchers published in the April issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
By Tom Wilemon
April 29, 2021

Genetic ancestry and hypertension risk

Racial disparities in hypertension risk are due in part to genetic differences between ancestries, Vanderbilt investigators find in a study of participants in the Million Veteran Program.
By Bill Snyder
April 6, 2021

Genetic differences in Wilms tumor

Unique somatic gene mutations may contribute to racial disparities in the incidence of Wilms tumor — the most common childhood kidney cancer.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 5, 2021

Codeine metabolizer status in clinical practice

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a response score using genetic and clinical information to aid prescribing of the widely used pain medication codeine.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 15, 2021

Roden honored with Oscar B. Hunter Career Award in Therapeutics

Dan Roden, MD, Senior Vice President for Personalized Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, received the Oscar B. Hunter Career Award in Therapeutics last week at the virtual annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 11, 2021

Genotype looms large in risk for post-op arrhythmia

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF), a form of arrhythmia, complicates 20-40% of cardiac surgical procedures and 10–20% of non-cardiac thoracic operations, cropping up two to four days after surgery to pose risk of stroke, heart attack, mortality, longer hospital stays and greater cost.
By Paul Govern
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