Perelman School of Medicine

rendering of the microbiome inside the gut

The new tool in fighting cancer: Antibiotics

The antibiotic vancomycin alters the gut microbiome in a way that can help prime the immune system to more effectively attack tumor cells after radiation therapy.

A scientist in a white coat with blue rubber gloves on holding a petri dish. In the background are lab materials on several sets of shelves.

Q&A

The view from inside the ‘medical scandal’ of China’s gene-edited babies

In a Q&A, geneticist Kiran Musunuru describes his unintentional connection to the scientist behind the scandal and the book that came out of the experience.

A person prepares to make a waffle in a farmer's market stand.

Side Gigs for Good

After putting in a full, impactful day at work at Penn, some faculty and staff fill their spare hours with endeavors that make a difference.

Doctore checks someone's blood pressure in an office with windows and city in background

Living in poor communities, dying from heart disease

A new study, led by Penn Medicine, found counties that experienced the most economic distress from 2010 to 2015 had the highest cardiovascular mortality rates.

Microscopic slices of tumor on a glass slide

Researchers identify method to slow down cancer cells efforts to multiply

A study from the Abramson Cancer Center finds that turning on a key metabolic process could make soft tissue sarcoma more susceptible to treatment.

Computer-generated antibiotics and biosensor Band-Aids

For Penn synthetic biologist César de la Fuente and his team, these concepts aren’t some far-off ideal. They’re projects already in progress, and they have huge real-world implications should they succeed.

Person holding a packet of prescription pills and a glass of water

Seven years later, PrEP access remains a challenge

Getting PrEP in the hands of high-risk communities remains a challenge; Penn researchers and practitioners are finding ways to reduce barriers and investigate new forms of the drug.

This Penn heart patient is a 9-year-old boxer dog named Sophie

Sophie underwent a cardiac ablation procedure in a Perelman School of Medicine translational research lab to treat her arrhythmia—the first time a dog with her diagnosis received such a treatment. Veterinary cardiologist Anna Gelzer says of the collaboration, “It’s the best of both worlds.”

closeup of a person's hands cutting a single pea with a fork and knife on a dinner plate

Eating disorders grow more prevalent and skew younger

Experts say a team approach between clinicians and those close to the individual are necessary to properly address an eating disorder, and still, relapses are a common occurrence.

Two basketball players next to one another, one quite tall, the other quite short

Tall people: Your hearts are at risk

The research team reveals a strong link between the genetic variants associated with height and one’s risk for arterial fibrillation, and is among the first to demonstrate that height may be a causal—not correlated—risk factor for the condition.

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