From animals to people and back again Humans aren’t the only species susceptible to COVID-19. A growing number of other animal species have become infected, posing a threat to the health of wildlife and domesticated animals, and in some cases exacerbating threats to people. From animals to people and back again Penn researchers are studying the propensity of SARS-CoV-2 to cross between species, and they are working to protect people, pets, and wildlife from COVID-19 infection.
Stem cell study illuminates the cause of an inherited heart disorder Pictured, an iPSC-cardiomyocyte harboring an LMNA mutation. Researchers at Penn studied how mutations in LMNA impact how DNA is organized in the cell. (Image: Penn Medicine News) Stem cell study illuminates the cause of an inherited heart disorder A new study from Penn Medicine shows that LMNA gene mutations can disrupt the ‘identity’ of heart muscle cells, leading to a congenital form of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Antibodies to common cold coronaviruses do not protect against SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies to common cold coronaviruses do not protect against SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies that react to both ordinary coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 are common in the population but don’t neutralize the COVID-19-causing virus.
Penn Medicine opens the largest equipment sterilization facility in the country Penn Medicine opens the largest equipment sterilization facility in the country The Interventional Support Center, an instrument processing and surgical supply preparation facility, will support two hospitals and three outpatient centers.
More thoughts on the state of American democracy More thoughts on the state of American democracy In part two of this series, five Penn experts offer their insights on public health, election legitimacy, student loan debt, and more.
Evicted and infected: How the housing crisis could worsen the COVID-19 pandemic Evicted and infected: How the housing crisis could worsen the COVID-19 pandemic A research team found that evictions could lead to a considerable uptick in COVID-19 infections in U.S. cities. With rising eviction rates, COVID cases in Philadelphia could cause 53,000 additional infections.
An ‘electronic nose’ to sniff out COVID-19 An ‘electronic nose’ to sniff out COVID-19 Through a newly funded grant, researchers across the University are developing a device that can rapidly detect COVID-19 based on the disease’s unique odor profile.
A patient-powered registry boosts the study of a rare disease A patient-powered registry boosts the study of a rare disease A registry for Castleman disease lets patients initiate enrollment, increasing enrollment rates as well as the amount of clinical data and samples available to researchers.
Pregnant mothers’ antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 transfer to their fetuses Pregnant mothers’ antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 transfer to their fetuses Antibodies to coronavirus in pregnant women cross the placenta efficiently, and are found at similar concentrations in their newborns, according to a large study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine.
Public psychiatry’s mission: Providing mental health care to those who need it the most Rachel Talley, clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry. (Image: Penn Medicine News) Public psychiatry’s mission: Providing mental health care to those who need it the most Rachel Talley on public psychiatry, the impact of COVID-19 on community mental health, and how she went from an internship at the White House to championing public health at Penn’s department of Psychiatry.