Department of Medicine

December 16, 2019

Protein dynamics in the beating heart

To study the dynamics of structural proteins in the heart, Vanderbilt investigators generated a cellular tool they expect will be useful for screening drugs that affect heart muscle contraction.

By Leigh MacMillan
December 5, 2019

Rathmell named interim chair of Medicine

W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, has been named as interim chair of the Department of Medicine in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Her appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2020.

By John Howser
December 5, 2019

Balko lands Mary Kay Foundation grant for breast cancer research

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s Justin Balko, PharmD, PhD, has received a $100,000 research grant from the Mary Kay Foundation.

By Tom Wilemon
Patrick Hu, MD, PhD, has been named assistant dean for Physician-Researcher Training and director of the Office for Medical Student Research.
December 4, 2019

Genetic screen in worms reveals critical step in insulin synthesis

The identification of a protein important for insulin synthesis may hold clues for understanding the pathogenesis of diabetes.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 21, 2019

Study finds cardiac rehab underused among Medicare patients

Cardiac valve surgery patients who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program have a 34% lower risk of hospitalizations and a 4.2% lower risk of mortality than patients who do not enroll in cardiac rehab in the year after surgery.

By Matt Batcheldor
From left, Qi Liu, PhD, Lori Coburn, MD, Gregor Neuert, PhD, Keith Wilson, MD, Ken Lau, PhD, and Bennett Landman, PhD, are leading VUMC’s contribution to the “gut cell atlas” program funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
November 20, 2019

Grant spurs effort to map biology of Crohn’s disease

VUMC has been awarded a three-year, $3 million grant to map — in unprecedented detail — the biology of Crohn’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
November 20, 2019

Study finds breast cancer recurrence score has different implications for men

A study published last year offered good news for women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer who scored at intermediate risk for recurrence. However, a new study finds this conclusion may not directly apply to male patients with the same type of breast cancer
By Tom Wilemon
November 18, 2019

Roden wins Schottenstein Prize from Ohio State University

By Bill Snyder
November 14, 2019

NCI ‘Moonshot’ grant to boost hereditary cancer identification

VUMC is leading an initiative to establish a streamlined process for collection of family health histories that could set the stage for a standardized system to make the information easily accessible.
By Tom Wilemon
November 14, 2019

RSV transmission in the Middle East

Understanding how RSV is transmitted, which strains dominate and how new strains emerge around the globe will guide better vaccine and anti-viral drug design.
By Laura Powell
November 7, 2019

Study explores genetic risk profiling of insomnia in autism

Vanderbilt researchers are studying how genes affect sleep and circadian disturbances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a goal of creating a genetic risk profile of insomnia in ASD.
By Kelsey Herbers
November 6, 2019

Rathmell receives 2019 Eugene P. Schonfeld Award

The Kidney Cancer Association is recognizing the research accomplishments and leadership achievements of W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, with its top honor, the Eugene P. Schonfeld Award.
By Tom Wilemon
November 1, 2019

New Physician Spotlight: Cathy Eng

Cathy Eng, MD, a national and international leader in gastrointestinal medical oncology, was recruited to VUMC from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
By VUMC News and Communications