pathology microbiology and immunology Archives
Diagnostic management efforts thrive on teamwork
Mar. 7, 2013—As choices mount for patient testing and treatment, diagnostic management has arisen at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to address two closely related questions that clinicians must ask themselves more and more often: have I ordered the right tests for this patient; and, taken together, what do these test results imply for the best treatment of this patient?
Starting up protein synthesis, in yeast
Feb. 28, 2013—Researchers have found an unusual interaction between a factor that “turns on” protein synthesis and one that produces fatty acids.
Antibacterial protein’s molecular workings revealed
Feb. 21, 2013—Vanderbilt investigators report new insights to the workings of calprotectin, an immune system protein that “starves” bacterial pathogens of the metal nutrients they require.
Zinc: a new antibiotic target?
Jan. 17, 2013—It may be possible to fight hospital-acquired pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii by targeting the bacterium’s need for the nutrient metal zinc.
Breast milk blocks virus binding
Dec. 7, 2012—Components of human breast milk help ward off viral infection, a new study shows.
Study tracks antioxidants’ role in prostate tumor growth
Nov. 15, 2012—Antioxidants promote cell growth in a mouse model of prostate cancer, Vanderbilt researchers report in the journal PLoS ONE. The findings provide insight into the recent controversy regarding antioxidants and prostate cancer prevention.
Bacterial signals in sarcoidosis
Nov. 6, 2012—Study adds evidence for infectious agents’ role in sarcoidosis, an inflammatory condition that can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Protein’s length, flexibility key to infection
Oct. 31, 2012—The structural architecture of the reovirus attachment protein is required for efficient reovirus infection of host cells.
More gene links to breast cancer risk
Oct. 19, 2012—Two newly identified gene variants linked to breast cancer may aid in predicting disease risk and targeting screening and prevention strategies.
Cell entry ports for cold virus
Sep. 25, 2012—The respiratory virus HMPV uses its fusion (F) protein – which interacts with cellular receptors called integrins – to bind to and enter target cells.
On the hunt for bladder cancer factors
Jul. 26, 2012—A protein linked to aggressive bladder cancers could point to new strategies for treatment or prevention.
Long antibodies better against HIV
Jul. 19, 2012—Understanding how antibodies with long “loops” form may be important for HIV vaccine development.
