Cavity-causing bacteria assemble an army of protective microbes on human teeth Cavity-causing bacteria assemble an army of protective microbes on human teeth Examining bacteria growing on toddlers’ teeth, a team from the School of Dental Medicine and Georgia Tech found that the microbes’ spatial organization is crucial to how they cause tooth decay.
Coming together to solve the many scientific mysteries of COVID-19 Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (green) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (purple), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. (Image: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH) Coming together to solve the many scientific mysteries of COVID-19 Putting some of their regular research projects on the back burner, researchers around Penn are digging into unknowns about the novel coronavirus from their deep and varied perspectives.
Health care education in a virtual world Health care education in a virtual world For future health care providers, moving education online has proved especially challenging. With ingenuity and creativity, faculty are helping them continue gaining the skills they’ll need.
Ten years later, dental mentorship program holds strong A decade ago, when the School District hired Charlene Jennings Fenster (left) to develop and teach a dental assisting program, she immediately reached out to partner with Penn Dental Medicine, her alma mater. Pictured here, Fenster observes a Randolph student who assists a Penn Dental Medicine student providing care. Ten years later, dental mentorship program holds strong Penn Dental Medicine students and faculty connect with Randolph high schoolers through the School District of Philadelphia’s Oral Health Academy.
Penn Dental Medicine presses on with emergency care Penn Dental Medicine presses on with emergency care During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Dental Medicine has been able to offer emergency services to established patients with the help of teledentistry.
A new way to study HIV’s impact on the brain By culturing astrocytes, microglia, and neurons—all derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells—in one dish, researchers have created an effective model to study the cognitive impacts of HIV and other diseases. (Image: Sean Ryan) A new way to study HIV’s impact on the brain Using a newly developed laboratory model of three types of brain cells, Penn and CHOP scientists reveal how HIV infection—as well as the drugs that treat it—can take a toll on the central nervous system.
Mission continuity plans help keep Penn operating Penn’s senior leadership and trustees 12 years ago asked schools and centers to develop plans to guide their actions in event of a crisis to help continue operations, mitigate risk, and minimize disruption. Known as mission continuity, those blueprints are now helping to manage the impact of the pandemic. Mission continuity plans help keep Penn operating Twelve years ago, the trustees and the University’s senior leadership asked the schools and centers to develop plans to guide them continuing operations during a crisis. Those plans are now helping manage the impact of the pandemic.
Providing care from a distance Providing care from a distance Telemedicine is a critical tool in the COVID-19 epidemic. Clinicians at the medical, dental, and veterinary schools are making use of virtual encounters to keep providing patients with safe, timely, quality care.
Bacteria form biofilms like settlers form cities Bacteria form biofilms like settlers form cities New research from the School of Dental Medicine gives a satellite-level view of how biofilms grow and expand on a surface.
At the dental school, the dietitian is in Matthew Whipple, a registered dietitian, consults with patients in clinics at Penn's School of Dental Medicine. (Image: Penn Dental Medicine) Q&A At the dental school, the dietitian is in Matthew Whipple, a registered dietitian at the School of Dental Medicine, consults with patients in clinics and educates students about the importance of spreading nutrition advice. He also cooks up a mean chicken and sausage gumbo.