pathology microbiology and immunology Archives
Study explores how staph bacteria can survive in bone
Jun. 3, 2020—A comprehensive evaluation of the metabolic pathways that support Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) growth during invasive bone infections could offer new targets for treatment.
Team uses imaging to study ways the heart is affected by coronavirus
May. 21, 2020—Researchers are using imaging and diagnostic pathology to examine postmortem hearts donated by victims of COVID-19 to gain a better understanding of how the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 affects the heart.
Probing innate immunity
May. 19, 2020—Manuel Ascano team validates an inhibitor of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which is important for cellular innate immunity against bacteria, viruses, and our own damaged DNA.
Antibodies eye Pacific Island “fever”
May. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt Vaccine Center team isolates monoclonal antibodies against Ross River virus, which causes rash, fever and debilitating muscle and joint pain lasting three to six months.
The adaptable anthrax bacterium
May. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt researchers discover how anthrax bacterium defends itself against structural damage and resists the toxicity of the antimicrobial drug targocil.
New method captures early viral-host protein interactions
May. 7, 2020—Researchers have developed a method to identify the primary interactions between incoming viral RNA genomes and host proteins.
Price’s old laboratory recipe book proves to be invaluable
Apr. 30, 2020—Howard Price has a decades-old green notebook he keeps in his office at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and when a shortage of a critical laboratory supply nearly brought testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to a halt at the Medical Center, the notebook’s contents quickly became invaluable.
Antibody finding raises hopes for Marburg, COVID-19 treatments
Apr. 30, 2020—Monoclonal antibodies against Marburg virus — a more lethal cousin of the RNA virus that causes COVID-19 — may aid in the development of antibody “cocktails” to counter viral infection.
Collaboration key to rapid expansion of lab test capacity
Apr. 23, 2020—The rapid ramping up of SARS-CoV-2 testing at VUMC reflects the dedication of the professionals who work in the Clinical Laboratory and also their collaboration with colleagues in research laboratories throughout VUMC.
VUMC seeks plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients
Apr. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center is recruiting volunteers who have tested positive for COVID-19 and fully recovered to donate plasma to help those who are currently ill with the virus as part of a new research study.
Research team awarded $9 million to study extracellular RNA in colorectal cancer
Apr. 9, 2020—The NCI program project grant is supporting multiple projects that aim to define fundamental biological principles about extracellular RNA signaling and the development and aggressiveness of colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Diagnostic testing for genetic disorders now available on site
Mar. 12, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has opened a Clinical Genomics Laboratory to provide diagnostic testing for genetic disorders.
