Todd Edwards

(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
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 22, 2024

VUMC, Nigeria teaching hospital to study genetic risk of fibroids based on regional African ancestry

The research team will analyze existing genome-wide association study data and RNA sequencing to compare fibroid development patterns in Nigerian women and U.S. Black women, which could point to targeted therapies and management strategies for affected women.

By Kristin Centers
June 25, 2024

Gene variant may underlie diabetes disparities: study

The study was the largest ancestry-stratified, genetic estimation of the heritability of diabetic retinopathy conducted to date and included an unprecedented number of individuals of non-Hispanic African ancestry — more than 46,000.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
May 1, 2024

Study finds 500 new blood pressure genes

An analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people of European ancestry, conducted by several of the world’s leading genomic centers, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has identified more than 2,000 independent genetic signals for blood pressure.

By Bill Snyder
Joseph Breeyear, left, Todd Edwards, PhD, and colleagues are studying how high blood pressure genes can improve heart surgery survival in children.
March 24, 2022

High blood pressure genes improve heart surgery survival in children

Vanderbilt researchers have found that children with a genetic makeup that predicts high blood pressure as adults are more likely to survive congenital heart defect repair surgery.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 25, 2019

Study shines light on architecture of kidney disease

A study of 280,000 U.S. veterans, including 56,000 African Americans, has identified in greater detail than ever before the genetic architecture of kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their colleagues.
By Bill Snyder
December 31, 2018

Hundreds of new blood pressure gene variations discovered

By Bill Snyder
April 18, 2013

BMI gene study expands to people of African ancestry

An international team of scientists, including six from Vanderbilt University, has identified the first unique genetic determinants of body mass index (BMI) in people of African ancestry.
By Bill Snyder
September 6, 2012

BioVU reaches new benchmark in DNA samples

This month BioVU logged in its 150,000th unique genetic sample. It is now the world’s largest collection of human DNA linked to searchable, electronic health information.
By Bill Snyder