Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology Archive — Page 13 of 31

December 10, 2020

Exploiting viral vulnerabilities

The isolation of human monoclonal antibodies against dangerous viruses including EEEV, Hendra and Nipah could offer new ways to treat and prevent these infections.

By Bill Snyder
C. Henrique Serezani, PhD, right, and colleagues, from left, Amondrea Blackman, Nathan Klopfenstein and Júlia Miranda Ribeiro Bazzano are studying the early events of the inflammatory response to infection.
December 10, 2020

Study details early events of inflammatory response

Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators have identified a key molecular player in the early events of the inflammatory response to infection. The findings suggest new therapeutic possibilities for enhancing the inflammatory response to protect against pathogens and for blocking inflammation gone awry in diseases like arthritis and atherosclerosis.

By Leigh MacMillan
Alice Coogan, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology.
December 8, 2020

Coogan named chair of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

After an extensive national search Alice Coogan, MD, interim chair of the Department and professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology (PM&I), has been named as the department’s next chair, effective immediately. Coogan will be the seventh chair of the department and the first female chair.

By John Howser
Two laboratory researchers in white coats stand together in a clinical laboratory filled with computer monitors and testing equipment.
December 3, 2020

Team tracks sources of false positives in urine drug screens

False positives on urine drug screens are common and are frequently due to cross-reactivity of these tests to medications. Last year, Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers Jacob Hughey, PhD, assistant professor of Biomedical Informatics, and Jennifer Colby, PhD, at that time assistant professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, devised, tested and published a method to systematically identify medications that interfere with screenings for drugs of abuse.

By Paul Govern
Portrait of Mariana Byndloss, DVM, PhD, smiling against a warm brown background.
November 18, 2020

V Scholar Award to support Byndloss’ cancer research

Mariana Byndloss, DVM, PhD, assistant professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, has received a V Scholar Award to support her studies of the links between obesity, the gut microbiome and colorectal cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
Green and yellow spotted frog with large eyes and long hind legs, shown against a white background.
November 2, 2020

Frog peptides as anti-HIV microbicides

Peptides derived from the antimicrobial peptides secreted by frogs could function as microbicides to limit HIV transmission, while sparing protective vaginal bacteria.

By Leigh MacMillan