Reporter May 9 2014
CaMKII enhances insulin secretion
May. 14, 2014—The protein CaMKII acts as a calcium sensor in a positive feedback pathway that enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
Normalizing calcium flux to treat atrial fibrillation
May. 12, 2014—A particular anti-arrhythmia drug provides a targeted treatment for certain forms of atrial fibrillation.
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.
Raiford named Health System chief of staff
May. 8, 2014—David Raiford, M.D., associate vice chancellor for Health Affairs, senior associate dean for Faculty Affairs, professor of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s chief compliance officer, has been named chief of staff for the Vanderbilt Health System. His appointment becomes effective July 1.
New technique helps spot atrial fibrillation genetic variations
May. 8, 2014—A technique called whole-exome sequencing (WES) has been used for the first time at Vanderbilt University to identify new genetic variations associated with a common disease — a heart rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation (AF).
VHVI educates airport screeners on heart devices
May. 8, 2014—Thanks to advances in technology, heart patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) are able to travel with greater frequency.
Academic Pediatric Association honors VUMC’s Walls
May. 8, 2014—Morgan Walls, M.D., a second-year resident in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named an Academic Pediatric Association (APA) New Century Scholar.
Gift creates one home for Medical School class photos
May. 8, 2014—For decades, the composite photos of Vanderbilt UniversitySchool of Medicine graduating classes could be found spread all around the Medical Center. Some were framed and hung, while others were stowed in desk drawers or archived in various locations.
Nighttime dialysis treatments available
May. 8, 2014—Vanderbilt University Medical Center, committed to providing multiple options to patients who have kidney disease, recently began offering nocturnal in-center hemodialysis, which allows patients to receive treatment at night while they sleep.
Preschool program for children with autism set to open
May. 8, 2014—A preschool program for children ages 18-36 months with autism or suspected autism is opening in mid-July at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center (BWC), with plans to expand to children ages 3-5 in the near future.
Vanderbilt Prize winner encourages big dreams
May. 8, 2014—Science and beauty are linked, for when a scientist makes a discovery, “she sees something truly beautiful for the first time and reveals that beauty to the world.”
PET probe detects dying tumor cells
May. 8, 2014—A novel PET imaging probe detects tumor cell death in vivo and could be useful for personalizing cancer medicine.