School of Medicine

School of Medicine researchers have found that when mature cells transition to begin dividing again, they all seem to do it the same way, regardless of what organ those cells come from. These older cells may be dangerous because when they revert to stem cell-like behavior, they carry with them all the potential cancer-causing mutations that have accumulated during their lifespans.

Michael Avidan, MBBCh, anesthesiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, works every day with colleagues in the so-called Anesthesiology Control Tower to identify risks to people undergoing surgery and consider measures to optimize patient outcomes.

Carey-Ann D. Burnham, associate professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,  has been named a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Academy of Microbiology.

A large-scale study that analyzed genetics and smoking habits has revealed new information about blood pressure. The study, conducted by an international consortium of investigators, was led by School of Medicine researchers.

A series of posters highlighting notable African-Americans in science and technology is on display in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (FLTC) Atrium on the Washington University Medical Campus through Feb. 28. The traveling poster series then can be seen in Seigle Hall on the Danforth Campus from March 5-29; and again at the FLTC Atrium from Aug. 1-31.

Through research in mice, School of Medicine scientists have exploited cancer cell metabolism to kill cervical tumors that are resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiation.

An international team of scientists, led by McDonnell Genome Institute at the School of Medicine, has sequenced the genome of the Amazon molly, a fish that reproduces asexually. The researchers expected that the asexual organism would be at a genetic disadvantage, but the Amazon molly is thriving.

Aimee James, associate professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been appointed the Prevention and Control Research Program co-leader for Siteman Cancer Center. 

The university’s Office of Technology Management is organizing the Women in Innovation and Technology symposium later this month. The event is one way the office is helping to educate, train and guide women through the commercialization process.

Two faculty members, Vijay Ramani, of the School of Engineering & Applied Science, and Jennifer Silva, MD, of the School of Medicine, were named inaugural faculty fellows in entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis.