School of Medicine

The DNA of bacteria that live in the body can pass a trait to offspring in a way similar to the parents’ own DNA, a new mouse study suggests. According to the authors, the discovery means scientists need to consider a significant new factor – microbial DNA– in their efforts to understand how genes influence illness and health.

Matthew Gubin, PhD, postdoctoral research scholar in the laboratory of Robert Schreiber, PhD, Alumni Professor of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a three-year, $164,500 grant from the Cancer Research Institute for research titled “Using Genomics to Identify Targets of Checkpoint Blockade Cancer Treatment and Identify Optimal Target Antigens for Vaccination.”

Bernd Zinselmeyer, PhD, research instructor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a one-year, $40,400 grant from the School of Medicine, via a Digestive Disease Research Core Center grant, for research titled “Intravital Imaging of Peritoneal Macrophages Contribution to Intestinal Health.”

Sarah K. England, PhD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, has been named the inaugural Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor of Medicine at the School of Medicine.

Children treated for moderate acute malnutrition experience a high rate of relapse and even death in the year following treatment and recovery. A new study led by School of Medicine researchers has found that target weights and measures of arm circumference used in assessing the health of malnourished children are insufficient and that raising these thresholds could significantly lower the rate of relapse.

Shashikant Kulkarni, PhD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received an award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for excellence in partnering in “Next Generation Sequencing — Standardization of Clinical Testing.”

Starting Feb. 25 and continuing for about two months, the intersection of Duncan and Newstead avenues will close as a Metropolitan Sewer District storm sewer line upgrade continues. Sections of Duncan east of Newstead have been closed during the project but will reopen when the intersection closes. Boyle is expected to reopen this spring.

The School of Medicine’s 11th Annual Art Show is underway in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center atrium on the Medical Campus. Visitors may view the art through Feb. 11.

A Washington University drug discovery program, led by Michael Holtzman, MD, has received three grants totaling more than $5 million to develop new medical therapeutics for respiratory diseases. The target illnesses range from the common cold to life-threatening lung disease.

New research shows that the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) and the contraceptive implant remain highly effective one year beyond their approved duration of use, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.