VI4 Archives

Jim Cassat, MD, PhD, and colleagues are studying enzymes involved in metabolism that are particularly important for Staphylococcus aureus to survive in host tissues.

Study explores how staph bacteria can survive in bone

Jun. 3, 2020—A comprehensive evaluation of the metabolic pathways that support Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) growth during invasive bone infections could offer new targets for treatment.

The adaptable anthrax bacterium

May. 14, 2020—Vanderbilt researchers discover how anthrax bacterium defends itself against structural damage and resists the toxicity of the antimicrobial drug targocil.

Looking through MudPIT for protein interactions

Feb. 25, 2020—The identification of novel protein interactions and sites of modification in proteins involved in mRNA translation adds to understanding of a process that is an important therapeutic target.

Allergic diseases expert Locksley set for Discovery Lecture

Feb. 12, 2020—Richard Locksley, MD, director of the Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco, will deliver the next Flexner Discovery Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Powering H. pylori pathogenesis

Feb. 6, 2020—Timothy Cover and colleagues report new insights into the sources of energy used by a bacterial “machine” linked to the pathogenesis of stomach cancer.

Zinc uptake by a deadly pathogen

Jan. 13, 2020—The increasingly antibiotic-resistant bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii requires zinc to cause infection, and Vanderbilt researchers have identified the zinc uptake system it uses.

Wexler receives Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship

Dec. 12, 2019—Aaron Wexler, PhD, a research fellow in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, has received a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship.

Imaging host-pathogen battle for metal

Oct. 31, 2019—An unprecedented view of bacterial products within infected tissues opens new opportunities to explore infection biology and devise novel therapeutic strategies.

Children had a field day on Oct. 19 exploring with Vanderbilt scientists the “great big world of tiny microbes” — bacteria, viruses and other germs. The third annual MEGAMicrobe event, hosted by the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation (VI4), was held at Granbery Elementary School in Brentwood. MEGAMicrobe’s goal is to make science fun and accessible. For more information, go here.

MEGAMicrobe 2019

Oct. 31, 2019—Children had a field day on Oct. 19 exploring with Vanderbilt scientists the “great big world of tiny microbes” — bacteria, viruses and other germs.

Pua lands NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

Oct. 1, 2019—Heather Pua, MD, PhD, one of 60 investigators to receive the 2019 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, will explore a novel type of cell signaling by RNAs in allergic airway inflammation.

Host-microbe interactions in the gut

Aug. 13, 2019—Vanderbilt investigators demonstrated that intestinal cells promote beneficial microbe behavior — the findings support developing microbiota-based therapies for intestinal health.