Department of Medicine

January 26, 2023

Study to explore COVID’s impact on essential workers

Vanderbilt researchers are inviting non-health care essential workers to participate in a study to better understand how they continue to be impacted by COVID-19.

By Jill Clendening
January 25, 2023

Study finds heart failure risk higher in rural areas

A study co-led by Vanderbilt researchers found heart failure risk is 19% higher for adults living in rural areas of the U.S., as compared to urban areas, and 34% higher for Black men living in rural areas.

By Craig Boerner
The study team included, from left, Linh Tran, Ruben Barricade, PhD, Jaren Perez, and Xin Zhen. (photo by Susan Urmy)
January 20, 2023

Study reveals new genetic disorder that causes susceptibility to opportunistic infections

An international consortium co-led by Vanderbilt’s Rubén Martínez-Barricarte, PhD, has discovered a new genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and profound susceptibility to opportunistic infections including a life-threatening fungal pneumonia. 

By Bill Snyder
January 20, 2023

Vanderbilt mourns loss of ASAP co-founder Murray

John Joseph Murray V, MD, PhD, a co-founder of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program (ASAP), died on Jan. 6 at Vanderbilt University Hospital.

By Nancy Humphrey
The study could suggest ways to promote the transport of phospholipids and cholesterol out of macrophages, immune system cells that play key roles in all stages of atherosclerosis development.
January 19, 2023

Study points to new ways to prevent, treat heart disease

Vanderbilt researchers have confirmed the existence of an alternative pathway to atherosclerosis, a finding that may lead to new ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

By Bill Snyder
January 19, 2023

Is drinking tea good for your gut?

Microbiome profiling of older Chinese adults showed that tea drinking changed the diversity and abundance of some bacteria in men but not women — effects that may contribute to a reduced risk of hypertension.

By Sarah E. Glass
January 19, 2023

Emerging Infections Program lands national award for COVID response

Vanderbilt's Emerging Infections Program (EIP) recently received the Toby Merlin Award for Excellence in Emergency Response, presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
By Jake Lowary
January 19, 2023

Low potassium injures kidney

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that low dietary potassium causes direct kidney injury, suggesting potential new targets for treating chronic kidney disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 13, 2023

Study identifies potential new approach for treating lupus

A Vanderbilt study found that targeting iron metabolism in immune system cells may offer a new approach for treating systemic lupus erythematosus — the most common form of the chronic autoimmune disease lupus.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 12, 2023

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant supports single-cell study of rare inherited disease

A multidisciplinary team led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigator Alexander Bick, MD, PhD, has been awarded a $2 million, four-year grant to study inflammation at the single-cell level in the rare disease RUNX1-FPD.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 12, 2023

Roden honored for his leadership in precision medicine

Vanderbilt's Dan Roden, MD, will receive the PMWC 2023 Pioneer Award Jan. 27 during this year’s Precision Medicine World Conference.
By Bill Snyder
January 12, 2023

VUMC’s Lang, Stover receive genetic counseling awards

Vanderbilt's Katie Lang, MS, CGC, and Samantha (Sam) Stover, MS, CGC, were recently honored at the 2022 Heart of Genetic Counseling Award ceremony.
By Danny Bonvissuto
January 10, 2023

Anti-nausea drug response in children

Genetic variation in a metabolic enzyme was not associated with response to the anti-nausea drug odansetron in children, Vanderbilt researchers report.
By Leigh MacMillan