NIEHS Archives
Study finds natural compound extends lifespan of worms
Oct. 20, 2016—A compound found in buckwheat seeds extends the lifespan of worms, Vanderbilt investigators have discovered.
Faulty building blocks in DNA
Jan. 22, 2016—An enzyme that builds DNA is able to insert the wrong building blocks, which could generate mutations.
How the cell makes morphine
Aug. 25, 2015—Vanderbilt investigators have discovered how mammals, including humans, produce the painkiller morphine.
Study explores protein’s role in inflammation-associated cancer
Jul. 23, 2015—An antioxidant protein may protect against colon cancer that develops in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting new strategies for reducing colon cancer risk in these patients.
Copper toxicity and Parkinson’s
Feb. 5, 2015—A genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease makes neurons more vulnerable to the toxicity of heavy metals such as copper.
New tools to probe manganese biology
Nov. 26, 2014—Vanderbilt researchers have developed tools to probe the role of the essential metal manganese in neurons, and which offer a started point for developing therapeutic agents for manganese-related neurological disorders.
Dioxin, fathers and preterm birth
Sep. 18, 2014—Exposure of male mice to the pollutant dioxin causes preterm birth across multiple generations, suggesting that efforts to prevent preterm birth should include pre-conception interventions for dads.
Protein interaction protects against neurodegeneration
Sep. 2, 2014—Two proteins interact to maintain selenium levels in the brain, and protect neurons from degeneration.
Enzyme holds the door for influenza
Aug. 20, 2014—Compounds developed at Vanderbilt University may offer a new way to block influenza infection.
Low selenium and lung cancer
Aug. 6, 2014—Vanderbilt researchers have found that selenium deficiency may contribute to the racial disparity in lung cancer incidence.
Bypassing DNA damage
May. 9, 2014—Studies of a human polymerase that replicates DNA have provided a complete kinetic and structural framework for understanding how the enzyme accurately bypasses DNA damage.
Dismantling staph’s drug resistance
Mar. 3, 2014—Targeting the enzyme FosB could make antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria sensitive to the antibiotic fosfomycin.
