Division of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition

The research team includes, left to right, Bruno Scaglioni, PhD; Keith Obstein MD, MPH; James Martin, PhD; Claire Landewee, BS; Simone Calò, PhD; and Pietro Valdastri, PhD. (hoto by Susan Urmy)
October 17, 2023

VISE-affiliated researchers conduct phase 1 trial of novel magnetic endoscope for colonoscopies

A Vanderbilt research team is conducting the first phase 1 clinical trial of a magnetic, flexible endoscope that has the potential to provide a safer alternative to standard colonoscopy, particularly for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.

By Jill Clendening
August 10, 2023

Messaging changes benefit both providers and patients

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has just rolled out changes to streamline and better manage messaging between patients and their care providers.

By Jill Clendening
June 29, 2023

Selenium signal found in colorectal cancer: study

An antioxidant transporter of the trace mineral selenium that protects against inflammatory bowel disease has the opposite effect in colorectal cancer, where it promotes tumor growth, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have reported.

By Bill Snyder
May 3, 2023

Vanderbilt mourns loss of former Gastroenterology director Burk

Raymond Burk Jr., MD, former director of the Vanderbilt’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, died May 1 in Nashville. He was 80.

By Bill Snyder
April 6, 2023

A ‘supermere’ method for biomarker discovery

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a method for isolating extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles — a complex transport system involved in health and disease — which will improve biomarker discovery and the identification of therapeutic targets.

By Bill Snyder
Sara Horst, MD, MPH
October 13, 2022

Horst takes on new roles in advancing digital health

Sara Horst, MD, MPH, has been named associate vice chair for Digital Health Operations for Vanderbilt’s Department of Medicine and assistant chief for Clinical Informatics for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 6, 2022

Study finds that reducing intake of simple sugars improves GERD

A Vanderbilt study found that reducing dietary carbohydrates improved both symptoms and objective measurements of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a randomized controlled trial.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 28, 2022

Video vital for telehealth visits

Vanderbilt study of 18,130 telehealth visits at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic defines risk factors associated with telehealth access and suggests how health systems can improve access.
By Bill Snyder
June 16, 2022

Horst, Patterson receive Physician Builder Awards

Sara Horst, MD, MPH, associate professor of Medicine, and Barron Patterson, MD, associate professor of Pediatrics, have received 2022 Physician Builder Awards.
By Paul Govern
April 7, 2022

New prognosis predictor and target for gastric cancer

The protein CGA — a subunit of glycoprotein hormones — is a biomarker that predicts chemoresistance in gastric cancer and could be targeted along with EGFR to restore chemosensitivity.
By Sarah E. Glass
March 30, 2022

Horst named medical director for telehealth at VUMC

Sara Horst, MD, MPH, has been named the new medical director for Telehealth Ambulatory Services for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Jill Clendening
December 14, 2021

Study sets framework for precision surveillance of colorectal cancer

Vanderbilt research has revealed some of the mechanisms by which polyps develop into colorectal cancer, setting the framework for improved surveillance for the cancer utilizing precision medicine.
By Tom Wilemon
December 10, 2021

“Supermeres” may carry clues to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a nanoparticle released from cells, called a “supermere,” which contains enzymes, proteins and RNA associated with multiple cancers, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even COVID-19.
By Bill Snyder