Bioengineering

Breaching the blood-brain barrier

A team of researchers in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, potentially advancing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and seizures.

Nathi Magubane

A low-cost, eco-friendly COVID test

César de la Fuente and a team of Penn engineers work on creative ways to create faster and cheaper testing for COVID-19. Their latest innovation incorporates speed and cost-effectiveness with eco-friendly materials.

From Penn Engineering Today

The physics of fat droplets reveal DNA danger

Penn Engineers are the first to discover fat-filled lipid droplets’ surprising capability to indent and puncture the nucleus, the organelle which contains and regulates a cell’s DNA.

Devorah Fischler



In the News


HealthDay

In mouse studies, new hope against a dangerous complication of pregnancy

Doctoral student Kelsey Swingle in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.

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New Scientist

Pre-eclampsia could be treated with mRNA technology

Michael Mitchell and Ph.D. student Kelsey Swingle of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.

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Axios

Real vs. fake Christmas trees: The great debate, explained

Lorena Grundy of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the debate between real and fake Christmas trees isn’t as black and white as it’s being portrayed.

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Rolling Stone

RFK Jr.’s 10 wildest medical theories

Kenneth R. Foster of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says studies haven’t provided clear evidence that exposure to levels of radio frequency energy below accepted limits, such as Wi-Fi, disrupts the blood-brain barrier.

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Nature

Gut microbes’ genomes are a trove of potential antibiotics

Marcelo Torres of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are synthesizing antibiotic microbes from microbiomes in the human gut.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Smart meter debate: Small group of consumers pushes against a meter mandate in Pennsylvania

Kenneth Foster of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the most reliable conclusions are always those of expert panels that conduct systematic reviews according to established procedures.

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