Research

Wenhan Zhu, PhD, recently received a research award from the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation.
March 23, 2023

Mathers Foundation award supports study of bacterial physiology

Vanderbilt’s Wenhan Zhu, PhD, has received a three-year award from the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation to support his research that aims to answer a fundamental question about bacterial physiology and engineer probiotics to improve gut inflammatory diseases.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 23, 2023

Decoding cell division machinery

Phosphate modification regulates the cell localization of Cdc15, one of the main controllers of cell division, to fine tune the assembly of cell division machinery.

By Caroline Cencer 
March 23, 2023

E. coli uses serine to abide acidity

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered another acid resistance mechanism for UTI-causing E. coli, laying the foundation for targeted antibacterial therapies.

By Cherie Saffold
March 22, 2023

Survey finds patients value immediate access to test results

A survey sent to more than 43,000 patients living in several states around the country finds that 96% of patients who use patient web portals prefer immediate online access to their clinical test results.

By Paul Govern
March 16, 2023

Scientists resurrect a ‘dead’ antibody to study protein

Vanderbilt was part of a multi-center team that resurrected a “dead antibody” to reveal the mysteries of cytochrome c, a versatile protein that is an essential part of the cell’s energy-generating capacity, and of life itself.

By Bill Snyder
March 16, 2023

Cardiovascular research pioneer Inagami mourned

Tadashi Inagami, PhD, DSc, Vanderbilt University Professor of Biochemistry, emeritus, who helped characterize the biochemical basis for hypertension, heart failure and vascular disease, died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 13 after a brief illness. He was 92.

By Bill Snyder
March 16, 2023

Study evaluates polygenic risk score for prostate cancer risk prediction

A Vanderbilt study found that prostate cancer polygenic risk score has limited utility for enhancing prostate cancer screening.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 15, 2023

Ashcroft named to receive Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science

Professor Dame Frances Ashcroft, a British physiologist known internationally for her work on insulin secretion, Type 2 diabetes and neonatal diabetes, is the recipient of the 2023 Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science.
By Bill Snyder
March 9, 2023

Study finds RSV may evade vaccines via rapid mutation

A Vanderbilt study concluded that RSV’s ability to mutate rapidly to escape detection by the body’s immune system makes it more challenging to design and develop vaccines that can stop it from spreading.
By Bill Snyder
March 9, 2023

Osterman named Associate Vice President for Research Informatics

Travis Osterman, DO, MS, has been appointed to a new role as Associate Vice President for Research Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Mia Garchitorena-Scancarelli
March 7, 2023

Treating delirium detected in the ED

Higher intensity physical or occupational therapy may be a useful intervention to shorten delirium duration in older hospitalized adults, Vanderbilt researchers recently reported.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 6, 2023

Cell-free hemoglobin in pulmonary hypertension

Cell-free hemoglobin generated by the lungs may be a therapeutic target for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, Vanderbilt researchers found.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 2, 2023

Sex counts in the brain as seasons change

Photoperiod, or length of day, has sex-specific impacts on dopamine dynamics in the brain, offering insights into sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders, Vanderbilt researchers report.
By Paul Govern