Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics (VCAT) Archive

June 21, 2016

Vanderbilt and Human Vaccines Project launch initial studies to decode the human immune system

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center this month began recruiting volunteers to participate in a clinical trial aimed at decoding the human “immunome,” the genetic underpinnings of the immune system.

By Bill Snyder
HIV cell
April 7, 2016

Potent HIV antibodies suggest new vaccine development approach

It’s been known for some time that the immune system can produce antibodies capable of “neutralizing” HIV, and stopping the AIDS-causing virus dead in its tracks.

By Bill Snyder
March 10, 2016

Media efforts during 2014 Ebola outbreak lauded

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Office of News and Communications has received national recognition for its efforts to educate and inform the general public during the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak that sparked fear across the nation and around the world.

By VUMC News and Communications
March 7, 2016

Vanderbilt researchers identify potential antibody treatment for H7 avian flu

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated human antibodies against a type of bird flu that has killed more than 200 people in China since 2012 and which may pose a worldwide pandemic threat.

By Bill Snyder
January 21, 2016

Antibodies may be ‘silver bullet’ for Ebola viruses

There may be a “silver bullet” for Ebola, a family of hemorrhagic viruses, one of which has killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa in the past two years.

By Bill Snyder
December 17, 2015

Year in Review 2015: Achievements, milestones abound at VUMC

The following is a roundup of the news that made headlines at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2015.

By Doug Campbell
December 3, 2015

Caucus explores crucial role of NIH research funding

James Crowe Jr., M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, and Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), recently participated in a U.S. Senate National Institutes of Health (NIH) caucus briefing held in Washington, D.C., by Senate NIH caucus co-chairs Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).
By John Howser
September 24, 2015

Survivors of Ebola outbreak take part in VUMC vaccine study

Two survivors of a 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria visited Vanderbilt University Medical Center last week to share their experiences and participate in a study aimed at finding ways to treat the often-fatal infection.
By Bill Snyder
September 10, 2015

Ebola symposium to feature Nigerian physicians

Three Nigerian physicians who survived Ebola virus disease in July 2014 after coming in direct contact with an Ebola-infected patient will speak at Vanderbilt University Medical Center next Wednesday, Sept. 16.
By Bill Snyder
August 6, 2015

Genotyping project to be an ‘engine of discovery’

Vanderbilt University researchers next month will launch a major initiative to acquire “dense genotypes” from 100,000 individuals whose medical histories are known.
By Bill Snyder
July 9, 2015

Study could lead to vaccine for mosquito-borne dengue virus

Researchers at Vanderbilt University and the National University of Singapore have determined the structure of a human monoclonal antibody which, in an animal model, strongly neutralizes a type of the potentially lethal dengue virus.
By Bill Snyder
July 8, 2015

Vanderbilt researchers develop potential treatment to fight mosquito-borne chikungunya virus

In late 2013 the Caribbean had its first case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. Today there have been almost 1.2 million cases in 44 countries or territories, including 177 cases in 31 U.S. States.
By Nancy Humphrey
May 21, 2015

‘Redesigned’ antibodies may control HIV: study

With the help of a computer program called “Rosetta,” researchers at Vanderbilt University have “redesigned” an antibody that has increased potency and can neutralize more strains of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than can any known natural antibody.
By Bill Snyder