School of Medicine

An inability to properly use the essential mineral manganese could be to blame for some cases of severe scoliosis, according to a new study from the School of Medicine.

Researchers at the School of Medicine and Northwestern have developed an implantable, bioabsorbable device that helps speed recovery of peripheral nerve damage in rats by stimulating injured nerves with electricity. The device degrades in a few weeks when exposed to saltwater, which mimics bodily fluid.

James Janetka, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Washington University School of Medicine, is this year’s St. Louis winner of the American Chemical Society Award.

A new study in mice from the School of Medicine shows that viruses that target the nervous system can kill neurons in the gut that coordinate the process of moving waste along. Such viruses may be involved in causing people’s digestive woes.

Analyzing data from more than 400,000 people, researchers at the School of Medicine have found that consuming one to two drinks four or more times per week — an amount deemed healthy by current guidelines — increases the risk of premature death by 20 percent.

Mark C. Udey, MD, PhD, has been named co-director of the Oliver Langenberg Physician Scientist Training Program in the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The program supports research-oriented careers in academic medicine for MD/PhDs.

Christina Gurnett, MD, PhD, professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named director of the Division of Pediatric and Developmental Neurology at the School of Medicine and neurologist-in-chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Jaquelyn Fleckenstein, MD, professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, has been honored by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri for her community service. Fleckenstein was honored for her contribution as a medical expert in a legal action to secure Medicaid coverage for life-saving hepatitis C medications.

James C. Warren, MD, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine, died in July at his home in Mobile, Ala. He was 88. Warren was a renowned researcher, clinician and teacher.

Michael Kinch’s new book, “Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity,” tells the story of the people behind vaccines and how the human body fights infection.