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Bacteria and fungi can ‘walk’ across the surface of our teeth
Scientific American

Bacteria and fungi can ‘walk’ across the surface of our teeth

A study by Hyun (Michel) Koo of the School of Dental Medicine and colleagues shows that conglomerations of fungi and bacteria can work together to “walk” and “leap” across the surface of teeth, quickly spreading decay.

What secrets might 2-million-year-old DNA hold?
Icy landscape in Greenland

Genetic material extracted from permafrost in northern Greenland revealed the presence of a rich, warm, and vibrant ancient ecosystem in what is today a cold and rather barren landscape, offering promise for future scientific discovery based on ancient environmental DNA.

What secrets might 2-million-year-old DNA hold?

Scientists from Denmark recently extracted and sequenced the oldest-ever DNA, from permafrost in Greenland, revealing a robust ecosystem of 135 species. Penn Today spoke with four faculty members about the potential power of ancient DNA.

Katherine Unger Baillie

How intestinal microbes affect our inclination to exercise
El Pais

How intestinal microbes affect our inclination to exercise

A team led by Christoph Thaiss of the Perelman School of Medicine has linked intestinal microbes in mice to the desire to exercise, with remarks from Nicholas Betley of the School of Arts & Sciences.

Your gut bacteria may influence how motivated you are to exercise
New Scientist

Your gut bacteria may influence how motivated you are to exercise

A study by Christoph Thaiss of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues found a correlation between the amount that mice exercise and the makeup of their microbiome.

People and places at Penn: Research
laia mogas

People and places at Penn: Research

From Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall to the Schuylkill River, four researchers share their science and their spaces.

Kristina García

Recently discovered virus family infects a human oral amoeba
The Scientist

Recently discovered virus family infects a human oral amoeba

A study by Frederic Bushman of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues points to a human oral amoeba as the host for a recently discovered family of DNA viruses.

Antibiotics encoded in Neanderthal DNA could help us fight infections
New Scientist

Antibiotics encoded in Neanderthal DNA could help us fight infections

César de la Fuente of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues have identified extinct antibiotic molecules in ancient mitochondrial DNA that could be revived to help fight infections.

Recreating the adrenal gland in a petri dish
A pink stained microscopic image shows the round structure of adrenal organoids growing together

The structure and function of adrenal gland ‘organoids’ grown in a petri dish at the School of Veterinary Medicine closely replicated that of the human adrenal gland, according to a new study. (Image: Courtesy of the Sasaki laboratory)

Recreating the adrenal gland in a petri dish

A School of Veterinary Medicine–led team coaxed stem cells to take on the characteristics and functions of a human adrenal gland, progress that could lead to new therapies for adrenal insufficiencies and a deeper understanding of the genetics of such disorders.

Katherine Unger Baillie