Vanderbilt Institute for Infection Immunology and Inflammation (VI4)

March 25, 2025

C. diff uses toxic compound to fuel growth advantage

The findings of a new research study increase understanding of the molecular drivers of C. diff infection and point to novel therapeutic strategies aimed at a pathogen that causes about half a million infections in the U.S. each year.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 23, 2025

Eric Skaar wins National Academy of Sciences award

Skaar, who directs the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, is being recognized for “pioneering work at the intersection of nutrition and infectious diseases.”

By Leigh MacMillan
November 15, 2024

Zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter lung infection: study

The study findings point to the potential of interleukin-13 antibodies — approved for use in humans — as a treatment to protect against bacterial pneumonia in patients with zinc deficiency.

By Leigh MacMillan
Chenyu Zhu takes a look at tardigrades, or water bears, through a microscope. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 28, 2024

MEGAMicrobe 2024 photo gallery

Scientists from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center led several activities to illustrate the important roles that microorganisms play in the environment and human health.

By Erin O. Smith
Graduate student Chiamaka Okoye shows Nora Tidwell, 6, and Avah Floyd, 7, how the gastrointestinal bacterium H. pylori swims through stomach mucus by having them dip their gloved hands into a tub of slime and dried pasta.
October 15, 2024

MEGAMicrobe event for children set for Saturday, Oct. 26

The seventh annual event invites students to conduct science experiments, join in hands-on activities, and win prizes and giveaways.

By Bill Snyder
color-enhanced cross section of tumor tissue
October 7, 2024

New Video: Study shows cancer vaccine blocks tumor progression at early lesion stage

Senior author Mary Philip, MD, PhD, associate director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, talks about her Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer study.
The findings support further vaccine investigation to make long-term, progression-free survival a reality for more cancer patients.

By Tom Wilemon
September 4, 2024

Bacterial metabolism plays role in staph antibiotic tolerance

Staph is a leading bacterial cause of death from bloodstream, bone and joint infections, in part because of high rates of antibiotic treatment failure.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 5, 2024

Vanderbilt Vaccine Center to begin artist-in-residence program this fall

The six-month-long “Visualizing Virology” residency is an extension of the VI4 Artist-in-Residence Program established in 2019 by the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation (VI4), and supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
By Bill Snyder
January 29, 2024

Expanded space boosts cutting-edge research in infectious diseases and immunology

The Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation recently debuted state-of-the-art new facilities in Medical Center.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 16, 2024

‘Molecular Muse’ exhibit features Artist-in-Residence program’s science-inspired art

The “Molecular Muse” art exhibit on display in Light Hall is a sampling of pieces from the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation Artist-in-Residence (VI4-AiR) program, which brings together scientists and artists to create and promote art as a visual science communication tool.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 15, 2023

Novel C. diff structures are required for infection, offer new therapeutic targets

Vanderbilt research discovers that iron storage “spheres” inside the bacterium C. diff — the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections — are important for infection in an animal model and could offer new targets for antibacterial drugs.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 29, 2023

Educational event zooms in on complex world of microbes

More than 100 children and their families attended the sixth annual MEGAMicrobe community science recently at Gower Elementary School in Nashville.
By Bill Snyder
September 21, 2023

VUMC postdoctoral researcher selected as HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow

Vanderbilt postdoctoral researcher Martin Douglass, PhD, has been named a 2023 Hanna Gray Fellow by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
By Anthony Czelusniak
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