Research Category
Nanoparticle targets tumor-infiltrating immune cells, flips switch telling them to fight
Jan. 21, 2019—New research builds on Nobel-winning immune checkpoint blockade work Immunotherapy’s promise in the fight against cancer drew international attention after two scientists won a Nobel Prize this year for unleashing the ability of the immune system to eliminate tumor cells. But their approach, which keeps cancer cells from shutting off the immune system’s powerful T-cells...
Stress fractures and running wearables: The mistake that could mean injuries
Jan. 17, 2019—Engineer, NFL Players Association adviser find issue with running sensors It starts as a persistent and irritating pain in the foot or lower leg, then it gets more intense, maybe with swelling, and soon a runner knows she’s being sidelined by one of the most common running injuries: a stress fracture. These tiny cracks in...
Global standards organization awards scholarship to materials science doctoral student
Jan. 14, 2019—Interdisciplinary materials science doctoral student Andrew Tonigan has been awarded a $10,000 ASTM International scholarship for his graduate studies in a field where technical standards play a crucial role. He is one of four scholarship winners. The other recipients are from the University of Alabama, McGill University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. ASTM International, formerly...
Research team documents potential new treatment path for breast cancer
Jan. 13, 2019—Immunotherapies that take off the “brakes” on the adaptive anti-tumor response have worked well in melanoma and lung cancer but less so in breast cancers. That could change. A Vanderbilt team led by John Wilson, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Rebecca Cook, associate professor of cell and developmental biology, activated innate immunity...
Smith’s spinal cord imaging work lauded
Jan. 10, 2019—In recognition of his research contributions to improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for detecting and quantifying spinal cord damage, Seth Smith, associate professor of radiology and radiological sciences, biomedical engineering, and ophthalmology and visual sciences, was recently awarded a 2018 Distinguished Investigator Award by the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research (ARR). Seth...
Risk modeling, data integration drive NASA next-gen air travel safety project
Jan. 4, 2019—Low visibility, bird strikes, incorrect landing approach speed, runway debris, airframe icing, engine fires, unexpected weather and sensor malfunction are but a handful of potential causes of airplane accidents. They also are among more than 60 incident scenarios identified by an ambitious NASA effort to develop the next generation National Airspace System, known as NextGen...
FDA approves device based on Vanderbilt invention to ID parathyroid during head and neck surgeries
Dec. 17, 2018—Ten years after Professor of Biomedical Engineering Anita Mahadevan-Jansen discovered that parathyroid tissues glow under near-infrared light, the FDA has approved a device based on the technology for surgical use. She and her team developed the technology at the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center. The device called “PTeye” has been tested at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and...
VISE celebrates new home and showcases tech to improve patient care
Dec. 14, 2018—The Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering celebrated its opening of dedicated space in Medical Center North Dec. 12 with a technology showcase of more than two dozen cross-disciplinary collaborations advancing healthcare techniques from the lab to patients. The newly designed 7,000-square-foot suite with a mock operating room and large work space is expected to...