3/19
Perelman School of Medicine
Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prime immune cells to respond to subsequent variants
Immunological imprinting from the original ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain has a significant impact on the antibody responses to the variants and boosters based on them.
Mapping pancreatic cancer to improve immunotherapy
Gregory L. Beatty, an associate professor of hematology-oncology and member of Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, and his team focus on improving immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
‘Dual target’ cell therapy appears to shrink brain tumors
Early Penn Medicine trial results show that targeting two tumor-associated proteins in patients with recurrent glioblastoma may be a promising step toward developing cell therapies for solid tumors.
Building a more diverse health care workforce across the Delaware Valley
Iris Reyes, who founded the Alliance of Minority Physicians in 2012, is working to expand the program to underrepresented students and professionals across the region.
Helping Black families to grow and thrive
To reverse the nationwide trend of serious harm and death before, during, and after childbirth for Black and other parents from marginalized groups, Penn Medicine is taking bold action to improve maternal health and eliminate racial disparities.
Penn Vet launches mRNA Research Initiative
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine today announced the mRNA Research Initiative to advance veterinary vaccine science.
What makes a breakthrough? ‘Eight steps back’ before making it to the finish line
Four of Penn’s Breakthrough Prize recipients, Carl June, Katalin Karikó, Virginia M-Y Lee, and Drew Weissman, were honored at a reception on Feb. 13.
Killings of unarmed Black people and racial disparities in sleep health
Penn Medicine research finds that Black adults across the U.S. suffer from sleep problems following exposure to news about unarmed Black individuals killed by police during police encounters.
Helping hospitalized patients address addiction with empathy
Certified recovery specialist Eric Ezzi brings compassionate care to for patients dealing with substance use, a role that is part Penn Medicine’s efforts to address the urgent drug addiction crisis.
Imaging just one week after starting treatment can predict melanoma response to immunotherapy
New Penn Medicine research shows that following a single dose of a particular immunotherapy drug, CT scans “lit up” with metabolic changes in tumors that correlated with longer survival.
In the News
Sugar-coated gold nanoparticles could replace some antibiotics
According to a Penn Medicine study, a new therapy involving laser light and sugar-coated gold nanoparticles can reduce tooth decay and infected wounds without needing antibiotics.
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A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
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Alzheimer’s may be caused by a build-up of fat in brain cells
A study by Michael Haney of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that the root cause of Alzheimer’s is a build-up of fat droplets in brain cells.
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Philadelphia hospital program adds psychologists to bridge mental health services for trauma survivors
A new psychology team at the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program has provided about 46 survivors with short- and long- term therapy, featuring remarks from Elinore Kaufman and Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine.
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Social factors may ‘disproportionately’ affect transplant process
A 2023 study led by researchers at Penn found that 44% of patients evaluated for liver transplants were not placed on organ wait lists, with nearly 17% rejected because of psychosocial or financial reasons. Marina Serper and Tamara Cozzi of Penn Medicine discuss the evaluation process for transplants.
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