Nature Communications (journal)

February 6, 2026

New analytical approach identifies novel risk genes for colorectal cancer

The study advances understanding of risk for colon and rectal cancers and points to targets for developing new treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan
Stokes Peebles, MD, right, Mark Rusznak, PhD, and their colleagues have identified a potential drug target for treating asthma. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 4, 2026

Broad genetic study reveals new drug target for asthma

The findings could bring relief to the more than 26 million people in the United States with asthma, a chronic and complex inflammatory disease of the airways.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
December 8, 2025

Interim data reported for multiple myeloma off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy  

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center accrued the most patients nationwide for the clinical trial for P-BCMA-ALLO1 – a chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) derived from healthy donors’ white blood cells.

By Tom Wilemon
(iStock)
September 30, 2025

Studies find connection between impaired musical rhythm abilities and developmental speech-language disorders 

Evidence showed that deficiency in musical rhythm perception is a “modest but consistent risk factor for developmental speech, language and reading disorders.”

By Evan Dorian
(Shutterstock)
September 29, 2025

Keloid risk genes open door to better therapy

These raised scars tend to recur after surgical removal, and the effectiveness of alternative treatments is limited.

By Bill Snyder
July 7, 2025

Vanderbilt Health at forefront of improving head and neck surgery with fluorescence imaging to ‘light up’ nerves 

A new study identified a safe and effective fluorescent imaging agent that can assist surgeons in visualizing — and therefore protecting — nerves during surgery.

By Evan Dorian
June 3, 2025

AI researchers develop new technologies for cancer care  

These new technologies showcase how VUMC researchers are using the power of AI to meet a wide range of medical needs.
By Tom Wilemon
April 2, 2025

New gene discoveries target uterine fibroids

The research is another step toward development of targeted therapies aimed at reducing the incidence and medical burden of this common condition.
By Bill Snyder
October 16, 2024

Study of severe drug reactions finds skin cells activate their own assassins

Single-cell analysis reveals the inner workings of the life-threatening adverse drug reactions Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
By Paul Govern
September 27, 2024

Distant relatedness in biobanks harnessed to identify undiagnosed genetic disease

VUMC researchers have developed a genetic method that clusters distantly related people to find rare variants that were present in a common ancestor.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 4, 2024

Bacterial metabolism plays role in staph antibiotic tolerance

Staph is a leading bacterial cause of death from bloodstream, bone and joint infections, in part because of high rates of antibiotic treatment failure.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 7, 2024

Epigenetic change to DNA associated with cancer risk in ‘multiomics’ study

The new study identifies 4,248 CpG sites associated with the risk of seven different types of cancer: breast, colorectal, renal cell, lung, ovarian, prostate and testicular germ cell cancers.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 5, 2024

Low potassium ‘turns on’ kidney proximal tubule: study

A kidney protein that responds to low levels of blood potassium — which can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems — may be a target for new therapeutics.
By Leigh MacMillan