A Celestial Celebration of the Basic Sciences

On August 21, Vanderbilt Basic Scientists traded in their microscopes for telescopes and left their lab benches for the great outdoors to experience what was, for most, a once in a lifetime opportunity to view a total solar eclipse. Even the weather cooperated, as a nearly cloudless sky over middle Tennessee provided the perfect backdrop for the show. Basic Sciences faculty, staff, students, and postdocs enjoyed the occasion in many ways, some joining the campus celebration and others opting to go off campus to a more remote location. The pictures below (view enlarged images and time-lapse drone video) were taken at a picnic in Nat Caldwell Park near Gallatin, Credits and thanks to Cidney Hue, Chuck Sanders, Jarrod Smith, and Matt Tyska. More eclipse photos

Newsworthy Accomplishments

Welcome to Our Graduate Students!

The annual Simple Beginnings ceremony to celebrate our new class of graduate students was held on September 1st. Each student received a white coat to launch his/her scientific training. We wish all a challenging, fulfilling, and successful career!

News of Note

Carlos Lopez (Biochemistry and Biomedical Informatics) has been named liaison to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, replacing Greg Walker. In this role, he will promote ongoing and new collaborations with Oak Ridge. Read more

Student/Postdoc Awards Congratulations

Michelle Mitchener (Marnett laboratory) won the 3^rd place award for best poster in the Chemical Toxicology Division at the ACS meeting in Washington, D.C.

New Discoveries

Mapping the Role of Fragile X in Neural Development

New findings from Kendal Brodie and his lab reveal why early detection is critical for the treatment of fragile X syndrome. Read more

Benefits of Mother’s Milk

Steven Townsend and his lab demonstrate that sugars in human breast milk have antibacterial properties that help protect infants from infection. Read more

Novel Approach to Rett Syndrome

Recent work from Colleen Niswender and the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery paves the way for a promising new therapeutic approach to Rett syndrome. Read more

A New Form of Bad Cholesterol

Fiona Harrison and Ned Porter provide evidence that accumulations of an oxidized cholesterol precursor may play a role in an inherited form of autism. Read more

A Push to Kill Cancer Cells

A recent report from Matt Lang and his lab demonstrates a role for mechanical stimulation in T cell activation to kill cancer cells. Read more

Structural Basis for Myelin Formation

Work from the labs of Melanie Ohi and Chuck Sanders explores the role of peripheral myelin protein 22 in myelin sheath formation. Read more

Funding Opportunities

TIPS Grants

Faculty are encouraged to consider organizing a project and submitting a proposal for a 2018 Vanderbilt TIPS (Trans-Institutional Programs) award. An October 2017 pre-proposal deadline is anticipated. More information on the program is available here.

Basic Sciences Bridge Funding

Applications for the next round of Bridge Funding should be submitted no later than Sept. 15.  Information on the Bridge Program and the on-line submission system are found here. Primary Basic Sciences faculty are encouraged to take advantage of this mechanism to help them either maintain project momentum during temporary lapses of funding or to scientifically realign projects to embrace new directions.

The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award

Vanderbilt and VUMC may nominate one candidate to compete for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award program that provides up to $550,000 in funding over a five-year period to young, innovative researchers in the fields of cancer, neuroscience, or immunology. Applications to be considered as the nominee are due Sept. 15. Read more

Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

Vanderbilt and VUMC may nominate one candidate to compete for the New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists that provides $250,000 in unrestricted funds to young life scientists to celebrate their extraordinary achievements, inspiring promise, and innovations. Applications to be considered as the nominee are due Sept. 20. Read more

Merck Investigator Studies Program (MISP)

Merck & Co. offers research funding, as well as drugs/vaccines to support research in areas of interest to the company. Pre-proposals (“concepts”) are accepted year-round. For more information, visit the MISP website.

NIH Guide E-Mail List

If you have not already done so, you are encouraged to subscribe to the NIH Guide email list. The weekly NIH Guide provides a wealth of information on NIH grant programs, including RFAs for special one-time grant programs.  To subscribe, follow the instructions at this web site.

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