Research
VUMC-led network to focus on polygenic risk for common diseases
Jul. 1, 2020—With the aid of a $75 million, five-year grant renewal, the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics Network (eMERGE) will venture beyond its current focus on monogenic disease to scoring research participants’ relative risk for complex heritable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.
VICTR named to key role to streamline COVID-19 research response
Jun. 24, 2020—The Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR), which provides comprehensive support for clinical and translational research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), has been named Administrative Coordinating Center (ACC) of a national effort to streamline the research response to life-threatening lung and heart problems caused by COVID-19.
Study shows better option for treatment of inoperable anal cancer
Jun. 24, 2020—People with inoperable anal cancer treated with carboplatin-paclitaxel had fewer complications and lived longer than those who received another chemotherapy that has been more often administered.
Study finds zinc doesn’t reduce mortality, other health risks, for heavy alcohol users living with HIV/AIDS
Jun. 24, 2020—Zinc supplementation did not reduce mortality, cardiovascular risk, levels of inflammation or microbial translocation among people with heavy alcohol use living with HIV/AIDS, according to a Vanderbilt-led study.
A connection to schizophrenia
Jun. 23, 2020—The insula, a small region of the brain involved in diverse brain functions had widespread dysconnectivity in schizophrenia, Vanderbilt researchers found.
Single mutation causes seizure disorder
Jun. 22, 2020—A single mutation in one gene can impair inhibitory signaling in the brain and cause multiple types of seizures and behavioral abnormalities.
Major U.S. trial closes showing no benefit for hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19
Jun. 21, 2020—The Outcomes Related to COVID-19 Treated with Hydroxychloroquine among In-patients with Symptomatic Disease (ORCHID) trial stopped enrolling new patients based on the fourth scheduled interim analysis showing no evidence of benefit or harm.
Probing DNA damage repair
Jun. 18, 2020—After discovering a new mechanism for DNA damage repair last year, Vanderbilt biochemists now provide direct evidence for how it works.
Studying cells in reduced dimensions
Jun. 18, 2020—Vanderbilt cell biologists have developed an unbiased, quantitative framework for evaluating single-cell data.
All of Us program launches cloud-based research platform
Jun. 18, 2020—On May 27, the All of Us Research Program launched the beta version of its cloud-based research platform, the Researcher Workbench.
Bhave, Grome receive awards at Research Forum
Jun. 18, 2020—Gautam (Jay) Bhave, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine and Cell & Developmental Biology, is the recipient of the 2020 Grant W. Liddle Award for “exemplary leadership in the promotion of scientific research” at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Robotic technology speeds arrhythmia gene classification
Jun. 12, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators have used high-throughput robotic technology to rapidly study and classify variations in a gene linked to heart rhythm disorders and cardiac conditions.
