David Cortez Archives

Cortez named chair of Department of Biochemistry

Jul. 29, 2021—David Cortez, PhD, Richard N. Armstrong, PhD, Professor of Innovation in Biochemistry and professor of Biochemistry, has been appointed chair of the Department of Biochemistry.

Madison Adolph, PhD, left, David Cortez, PhD, and Archana Krishnamoorthy are studying fundamental processes involved in DNA replication.

Researchers discover that protein switches functions to regulate DNA replication

Jul. 22, 2021—Vanderbilt biochemists have discovered what the DNA damage response protein RADX does — and how it does it.

Cortez named interim chair of the Department of Biochemistry; York named Impossible Foods chief science officer

Dec. 8, 2020—David Cortez, PhD, Richard N. Armstrong Professor of Innovation in Biochemistry and professor of biochemistry, has been named interim chair in the Department of Biochemistry beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

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.

Cortez named to VICC research leadership role

Jun. 18, 2020—David Cortez, PhD, has been named associate director for Basic Science Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC).

A catalog of DNA replication proteins

Oct. 3, 2019—Vanderbilt scientists have identified 593 proteins that are enriched at sites of DNA duplication and chromatin packaging of newly synthesized DNA.

David Cortez, PhD, left, Petria Thompson, Katherine Amidon, Brandt Eichman, PhD, and colleagues are studying how a DNA repair pathway protein shields sites of damage to avoid mutations.

Team’s study reveals details of new DNA repair pathway

Jul. 25, 2019—Investigators have discovered how a DNA repair pathway protein shields sites of damage to avoid mutations and maintain genome integrity.

Kareem Mohni, PhD, left, and David Cortez, PhD, have discovered a new DNA repair pathway that guards against genomic mutations.

Novel DNA repair mechanism preserves genome integrity: study

Feb. 28, 2019—Biochemistry investigators at Vanderbilt have discovered a new DNA repair mechanism that prevents gene mutations during DNA replication.

Genetic balancing act

Aug. 2, 2018—New findings about proteins involved in DNA repair are important for understanding why some cancers are more or less resistant to certain therapies.

15 faculty members elected as AAAS fellows

Nov. 20, 2017—Fifteen Vanderbilt faculty members conducting a range of biomedical and clinical research have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Six of the 15 have received funding through the university’s Trans-Institutional Programs initiative, which facilitates research and teaching collaborations across disciplines and are a core pillar of the university’s Academic Strategic Plan.

Study identifies protein’s role in chemotherapy resistance

Jul. 20, 2017—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have discovered a protein that may lead to a new way to prevent resistance and improve outcomes for patients whose cancers have mutations in the tumor suppressor gene BRCA2.

Graduate student’s cancer studies land NCI support

Nov. 17, 2016—Kamakoti “Kami” Bhat, a fifth-year graduate student in the lab of David Cortez, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine, has achieved a “first” for Vanderbilt University.