Research

November 11, 2025

AI recruited to lower leading cause of preventable hospital deaths

Risk of VTE rises in hospitals due to factors such as patient immobility, effects from major surgery, and use of indwelling medical devices like central lines.

By Paul Govern
November 6, 2025

Inflammatory marker could predict response to therapy in bladder pain syndrome

Patients with chronic bladder pain syndrome who had higher baseline levels of the inflammatory molecule IL-1beta had greater overall improvement following cognitive behavioral therapy.

By Georgia Caso
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) resolution of the structure of a respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein (shades of pink) bound to fragments of two antibodies (dark/light and blue/green) designed by the researchers’ protein language model, MAGE.
November 4, 2025

AI can speed antibody design to thwart novel viruses: study

While the study focused on development of antibody therapeutics against existing and emerging viral threats, the implications of the research are much broader.

By Bill Snyder
(AdobeStock)
November 3, 2025

Artificial HIV patients do their part for science

To speed HIV research, VUMC scientists are drafting droves of people who do not exist to serve as research subjects.

By Paul Govern
November 3, 2025

Prescribing with purpose

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study finds unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in hospitalized children and highlights opportunity for antibiotic stewardship.

By Chelsea N. Campbell
October 30, 2025

Genetic variation impact scores: A new tool for earlier heart disease detection

The study will go a long way to improving the early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, a common genetic driver of cardiovascular disease.

By Bill Snyder
October 29, 2025

New genetic marker found to predict severe gout drug reactions in US patients

The discovery could improve safety of allopurinol for millions by expanding genetic screening.
By Craig Boerner
October 22, 2025

New sepsis therapy developed at VUMC edges closer to the clinic

Jacek Hawiger and his colleagues report that a “peptide genomic therapy” given in combination with an antibiotic nearly doubles survival rates from sepsis in an animal model, compared to treatment with antibiotic alone.
By Bill Snyder
October 22, 2025

Behind the curtain: Secrets of the volatile, delusional brain 

The VUMC approach, based on the “Feeling Safe Program” developed by British psychologist Daniel Freeman, targets specific factors that contribute to persecutory delusions, including worry, safety behaviors, avoidance and hallucinations (such as hearing voices).
By Bill Snyder
October 20, 2025

Collaborative forms to better predict, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes

The new project will map Type 1 diabetes progression using multimodal artificial intelligence alongside a wide range of health data.
October 20, 2025

Three VUMC leaders elected to the National Academy of Medicine

With more than 2,400 members, the NAM (formerly the Institute of Medicine) collaborates closely with its peer academies, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, to provide independent and authoritative advice on matters of science, technology and health nationally and globally.
By Bill Snyder
October 15, 2025

New NCI-funded project targets polyp recurrence to prevent colon cancer

The researchers anticipate that their findings will inform personalized colorectal polyp surveillance, guide therapeutic prevention strategies, and ultimately reduce the burden of colorectal cancer nationwide.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 14, 2025

VUMC researchers awarded $2 million to expand AI-powered medical record abstraction

The grant extension will expand applications in research, clinical trials, registries and national collaborations.