Vanderbilt biologists discover genetic pathways linking the immune and circulatory systems of mosquitoes during infection
Sep. 7, 2022—Julián F. Hillyer, professor of biological sciences, and his research team discovered how mosquito immune and circulatory systems are related. This work may lead to the development of novel strategies that protect beneficial insects or harm detrimental...
Lea named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar for outstanding early-career research and pursuit of interdisciplinary science
Jun. 17, 2022—Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named to the 2022–24 cohort of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Azrieli Global Scholars in recognition of her outstanding early-career research and interdisciplinary work. Lea...
The Hunger Games: E.coli Edition demonstrates how mutualism and cooperative behavior shape species
Jun. 9, 2022—Vanderbilt and Arizona State University microbiologists explore the effects of feast and famine cycles on E. coli, providing insight into how the bacterial communities that reside in our guts, with our crops, in lakes and streams, and beyond become so ...
Research Snapshot: Discovery of mosquito survival tactics leaves room for new disease vector control tactics
Jun. 1, 2022—Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria represent an ongoing global health crisis of (literally) biblical proportions. LJ Zwiebel has identified the biological factors that help female mosquitos mate, suck blood and sense environmental threats. Est. read...
Amanda Lea named 2022 Searle Scholar, wins $300K to pursue research on effect of early-life environments on human health
May. 20, 2022—Amanda Lea, assistant professor of biological sciences, has been named a 2022 Searle Scholar, an honor bestowed on 15 exceptional young faculty in the biomedical sciences and chemistry. Lea will receive $300,000 in flexible funding to support her work ...
Amanda Lea has been named 2022 Searle Scholar
May. 13, 2022—Amanda Lea, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, has been named one of fifteen 2022 Searle Scholars for her work on “Environmental determinants of health: molecular mechanisms and inter-individual variation”. You can read more about the award here.
Graduate student publishes high impact study on mitochondria
Apr. 27, 2022—James Held, a graduate student in the Patel lab, discovered a novel way in which cells sense and respond to stressed mitochondria. The study, entitled, “A tRNA processing enzyme is a key regulator of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response” is published in a high impact journal called eLife. Link to the publication can be found...
Vanderbilt researchers suggest that complex bird songs might require large populations
Apr. 26, 2022—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Initiative scientific coordinator Growing up in a small community has its advantages, but if you want to learn from world experts, you may have better luck in a big city. This is the case in the world of birds as well. Large populations of birds might be better able to...
Graduate Student Grub receives NDSEG Fellowship from the Department of Defense
Apr. 20, 2022—Lantana Grub, Ph.D. Candidate in the Patel Lab, has received NDSEG fellowship from the Department of Defense. This award will support Lantana’s proposal to study mitochondrial epigenetics. Congrats Lantana!
Vanderbilt researchers use new method to target potentially undiscovered beneficial therapeutic chemicals
Apr. 20, 2022—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Initiative scientific coordinator A team of researchers from the Eichman lab and associated with the Evolutionary Studies Initiative led a project that was recently published in mBio. Graduate student Noah Bradley and undergraduate student Katie Wahl (BA21, BCB) were co-first authors on the work studying chemical compounds produced by bacteria. Brandt Eichman Specifically, the group was interested...