Bioengineering | Penn Today

AI x Science Postdoctoral Fellowship

Bhuvnesh Jain and René Vidal have teamed up to create the AI x Science Fellowship, which builds on the thriving postdoctoral program of the Data Driven Discovery Initiative to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration among researchers across the University.

6 min. read

Performer, biomedical engineer, and soon-to-be graduate

A performer and dancer, fourth-year Jordyn Harris has been a work-study student for the Platt House and managed tech for myriad student shows, while also advising engineering first-years and working as a researcher at a hospital.

5 min. read

Cesar de law Fuente, middle, between two researchers from his team, standing in their lab.

New AI technique can uncover antiviral compounds using limited data

AI algorithms, when combined with traditional laboratory methods, can uncover promising drug leads against human enterovirus 71.

1 min. read

Microrobots navigate diverse oral environments to deliver therapies

Penn Engineers and clinicians at the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry are developing shapeshifting microrobots capable of navigating the complex environments of the mouth to deliver targeted treatments.

3D visualization showing a reddish-blue tumor mass with internal vasculature, surrounded by blue CAR T cells and small extracellular vesicles against a dark background.

Armoring CAR T cells to take on cancer

Wei Guo of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues from the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, and School of Engineering and Applied Science have uncovered how solid tumors manipulate cancer-fighting CAR T cells through extracellular vesicles, causing the engineered CAR T cells to commit fratricide—essentially turning against each other instead of attacking the cancer.

3 min. read

Scientists unlock frogs’ antibacterial secrets to combat superbugs

The lab of César de la Fuente has created synthetic peptides, a class of antibiotics, derived from the secretions of a frog commonly found in South Asia.

2 min. read

Meniscus injuries may soon be treated by customizable hydrogel

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found a new 3D-printed customizable hydrogel performed well in preclinical trials with several different types of meniscal tears, offering a potential mend for common joint injuries.

1 min. read

2025 CAREER Award recipient: Jina Ko

Ko, a professor in bioengineering in Penn Engineering and in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine, is awarded the 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for her expertise across bioengineering, molecular biology, and chemistry in developing transformative technologies for molecular diagnostics of diseases, especially with respect to how brain-related conditions are diagnosed and treated.

Penn fourth-year Jaskeerat Gujral named 2025-2026 ThinkSwiss Research Scholar

Gujral, a fourth-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences studying neuroscience with a minor in chemistry, and sub-matriculating in the bioengineering master's program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has been selected for a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, a program that aims to promote research opportunities in Switzerland to foster exchange between Swiss, U.S., and Canadian universities and research institutions.

Kayla Gay looking into a microscope in a lab.

From lab to classroom: The Center for Engineering MechanoBiology

Penn’s Center for Engineering Mechanobiology is a summer program for K-12 teachers in Philadelphia to work with scientists and engineers to develop innovative, hands-on lessons to engage students in STEM-integrated education.

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