microbiome/microbiota

zinc pill on spoon over white background
September 26, 2016

Study shows excess dietary zinc worsens C. diff infection

Too much dietary zinc increases susceptibility to infection by Clostridium difficile — “C. diff” — the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections.

August 21, 2015

Mini-retreat will explore microbiome research at VU Aug. 29

Vanderbilt’s Department of Medicine will host a mini-research retreat, on Aug. 29, at 202 Light Hall.

staph colonies on red petri dish
October 16, 2014

Staph ‘gangs’ share nutrients during infection: study

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can share resources to cause chronic infections, Vanderbilt investigators have discovered. The findings shed light on a long-standing question in infectious diseases and may inform new treatment strategies.

October 9, 2014

Immune cells that guard against ingested pathogens discovered

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a new type of immune cell residing in the intestinal epithelium that may function as a first line of defense against ingested pathogens.

obesity or overweight belly
July 17, 2014

Study examines therapeutic bacteria’s ability to prevent obesity

Engineered bacteria that produce a therapeutic compound in the gut prevent obesity in mice, Vanderbilt University investigators have discovered.

Tiny baby holding man's thumb
March 27, 2014

Gut woes of preemies focus of microbiome effort

A multidisciplinary team of microbiome researchers at Vanderbilt University is shedding light on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a disease of prematurity that kills hundreds of babies and costs the U.S. health care system an estimated $5 billion a year.