BioVU

June 25, 2024

Gene variant may underlie diabetes disparities: study

The study was the largest ancestry-stratified, genetic estimation of the heritability of diabetic retinopathy conducted to date and included an unprecedented number of individuals of non-Hispanic African ancestry — more than 46,000.

By Bill Snyder
Photo caption: Jonathan Mosley, MD, PhD, left, Scott Borinstein, MD, PhD, John Shelley, and Vivian Kawai, MD, MPH, are studying how genetic variation not related to disease affects clinical decisions. (photo by Susan Urmy)
June 3, 2024

Genetic variation associated with low white blood cell count impacts clinical decisions

People whose white blood cell levels are near the edge of the “healthy” reference range will hit a clinical decision point that has consequences such as diagnostic procedures and altered treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
May 15, 2024

Treatment-resistant depression linked to body mass index: study

Genetic factors are a small but significant contributor to severe depression that does not respond to standard therapy, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
May 1, 2024

Study finds 500 new blood pressure genes

An analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people of European ancestry, conducted by several of the world’s leading genomic centers, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has identified more than 2,000 independent genetic signals for blood pressure.

By Bill Snyder
(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
February 21, 2024

International 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
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.
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
October 2, 2023

New “DNA” podcast season explores how to harness change, ideas to improve business and medicine

Go to your favorite podcast channel right now to subscribe and listen to the first episode of Season 4!
By Holly Fletcher
September 25, 2023

What could be next? Preview DNA’s Season 4 exploring the future

Preview the trailer for Season 4 of the Vanderbilt Health DNA podcast series. Explore issues facing businesses across industries, and how VUMC is experimenting with and designing solutions for problems — old and new — by supporting smart people with visionary ideas. 
By Holly Fletcher
August 31, 2023

New reference tool supports replication of DNA biobank studies

Vanderbilt researchers created a phenotype-genotype reference map to assess data quality in DNA biobanks.
By Paul Govern
July 18, 2023

The Alliance for Genomic Discovery announces founding biopharma members: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer and Merck

Illumina Inc., in collaboration with Nashville Biosciences LLC, a leading clinical and genomic data company and wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, have announced the five founding new members of the Alliance for Genomic Discovery.
By VUMC News and Communications