News from the Baylor Ecosystem
BCM faculty, clinicians, researchers, and staff are advancing medicine and changing the ways we deliver and access care. Here we feature an array of information channels to keep you up to date with the latest advancements from the BCM community, including:
- Momentum, which spans health news, medical education updates, healthcare, community, and events around BCM
- From the Labs, which spotlights new and innovative bench science from BCM researchers.
- The Stitch, which shares the expertise of researchers and clinicians in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery as well as the voices of patients who have undergone surgery and found healing.
- PolicyWise, which explores the full spectrum of health and science policy, from public health to emerging biotechnologies.
- BCM News, which features the headlines-making accomplishments of researchers, faculty, and staff from across BCM.
- Progress Notes, which shares students' stories from the clinics, their thoughts on medicine and healthcare, and stories from the frontlines of research.
- BCM Family, which helps you catch up on news from Baylor College of Medicine posted on the BCM Family newsletter online.
Featured News
After 60 years, researchers find hidden brain pathway behind metformin diabetes drug
Researchers have discovered that metformin, long thought to act mainly in the liver and gut, also works in the brain—specifically by suppressing Rap1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus—to regulate blood sugar at even very low doses.
AI reveals how protein modifications link mutations to disease
BCM researchers have developed an AI model called DeepMVP, which predicts how genetic mutations affect post-translational modifications in proteins, linking these changes to diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and neurological disorders. The model outperforms previous tools and offers a new avenue for understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapies.
Baylor doctors find method to prescribe less opioids after lung transplant surgery
Baylor surgeons Drs. Ramiro Fernandez and Gabriel Loor describe a technique using intercostal nerve cryoablation that allows prescribing fewer opioids after lung transplant surgery, potentially improving pain management and recovery.
A closer look at sickle cell disease and policy
Dr. Titilope Fasipe highlights how policy gaps, provider shortages, and stigma hinder quality sickle cell disease care and calls for improved reimbursement, training, and equitable lifelong support.
NIH awards Baylor more than $15 million to fund two rare diseases consortia
BCM secured over $15 million in NIH funding to support two rare disease consortia: renewing the Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium and launching the Rare Organic Acidemias Research (ROAR) Consortium to study genetic bone and metabolic disorders.
Addressing mental health for cancer patients
BCM psychologist Dr. Emaan Lehardy highlights the mental health challenges cancer patients face and offers guidance on coping, communicating, and recognizing when distress may require professional support.