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Perelman School of Medicine
A new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines
A new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines
Penn Medicine researchers have developed a new technique that uses complement inhibitor Factor I to prevent proteins from attacking treatment-carrying nanoparticles so they can better reach targets within the body.
Protein controlled by both light and temperature can inform cell signal pathways
Protein controlled by both light and temperature can inform cell signal pathways
Penn Engineering researchers have described a new type of optogenetic protein that can be controlled not only by light, but also by temperature, allowing for a higher degree of control in the manipulation of cellular pathways.
Wearables can predict near-term blood sugar control in prediabetes patients
Wearables can predict near-term blood sugar control in prediabetes patients
Penn researchers find that using wearable devices, especially those on the wrist, and machine learning approaches could predict blood sugar control.
Researchers find new potential targets for skin-cancer treatment
Researchers find new potential targets for skin-cancer treatment
Making up for the genetic mutations of MLL4 in skin cells, one of the most commonly mutated genes across all of human cancers, may keep epithelial cancer from beginning and progressing
Catching up with omicron
Catching up with omicron
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Frederic Bushman and Susan Weiss share what they and other scientists are learning about the new, dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2.
How one researcher is helping us better understand the brain through epigenetics
How one researcher is helping us better understand the brain through epigenetics
Erica Korb, assistant professor of genetics, combines microscopy, bioinformatics, biochemistry, and behavioral testing to better understand gene expression and its impact on brain development.
A structural blueprint of nanoparticles to target acute lung inflammation
A structural blueprint of nanoparticles to target acute lung inflammation
Targeting neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that, when overactive, contributes to acute lung inflammation, is a potential new route to diagnose and treat acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Vaccine-like mRNA injection can be used to make CAR T cells in the body
Vaccine-like mRNA injection can be used to make CAR T cells in the body
An experimental immunotherapy can temporarily reprogram patients’ immune cells to attack heart fibroblast cells via only a single injection of mRNA.
From foundational discoveries to profound impact
From foundational discoveries to profound impact
How decades of mRNA research at Penn made powerful new COVID-19 vaccines possible—and opened a new vista for future discoveries.
In Peru and the U.S., considering the factors that drive public health
In Peru and the U.S., considering the factors that drive public health
By comparing and contrasting the two nations’ approaches to controlling infectious diseases, students in Parallel Plagues deepened their appreciation of how these diseases emerge, cause harm, and might be effectively controlled.
In the News
Vox.com
Am I asymptomatic, or do I just really not want to have Covid-19? A guide
Michael David of the Perelman School of Medicine explained why there are few concrete guidelines regarding asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. “Currently, there are no data available to define ‘asymptomatic,’ which can be different in different people, given that many have chronic respiratory symptoms as baseline, from congestive heart failure to allergies,” he said.
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Boston Globe
‘This is a different phase.’ It may be time for a reset on kids, school, and COVID
David Rubin of the Perelman School of Medicine co-developed new proposed guidelines for managing COVID-19 in schools, which include ending testing for asymptomatic children. “The issues around prolonging social isolation or continuing to deny access to in-person education are so far greater than the risk of the virus itself. Not just to the children but to their families themselves, particularly now that people can get vaccinated,” he said.
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Reuters
Fact Check-Why those with comorbidities are still counted as COVID-19 deaths
Susan Ellenberg of the Perelman School of Medicine said understanding comorbidities can reveal different populations’ risk of disease. “A comorbidity may contribute to the severity of the disease under consideration ... but the underlying cause of death would not be the comorbidity,” she said.
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Bloomberg
Biogen Alzheimer’s drug coverage threatens minorities’ access
Holly Fernandez Lynch of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the obstacles preventing less-privileged people from participating in clinical trials. “You typically have to live near the trial site or have the resources to travel. You have to be able to take time away from work and your caregivers need to do the same. You have to have reliable transportation,” she said.
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The Washington Post
The ethics of a second chance: Pig heart transplant recipient stabbed a man seven times years ago
Scott Halpern of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the importance of maintaining separation between legal and medical systems. “We have a legal system designed to determine just redress for crimes,” he said. “And we have a health-care system that aims to provide care without regard to people’s personal character or history.”
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