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Five Penn faculty named 2021 Sloan Research Fellows
portraits of from top left clockwise Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, Bo Zhen, Marc Miskin, Ziyue Gao, and Bhaswar B. Bhattacharya

Five Penn faculty named 2021 Sloan Research Fellows

The fellowship recognizes extraordinary U.S. and Canadian researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of scientific leaders.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Stem cell study illuminates the cause of an inherited heart disorder
A microscopic look at an iPSC-cardiomyocyte harboring an LMNA mutation.

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.

From Penn Medicine News

First ever ‘pioneer’ factor found in plants enables cells to change their fate
A close-up view of white flowers emerging from a plant

Using an experimental technique whereby flowers can be coaxed to form from plant roots, biologists led by Doris Wagner uncovered a protein that enables for the initial loosening of chromatin that can allow new proteins to be made and plants to take on different forms. (Image: Courtesy of the Wagner laboratory)

First ever ‘pioneer’ factor found in plants enables cells to change their fate

To start the process of unpacking tightly bundled genetic material, plants depend on the LEAFY pioneer protein, according to work led by biologist Doris Wagner.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Climate change doesn’t spare the smallest
Topographic map of Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in Costa Rica showing different biomes

The ACG is home to a variety of different types of environments and ecosystems, and a rich diversity of species. (Image: Courtesy of Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs)

Climate change doesn’t spare the smallest

Changing conditions have taken a toll on insects in the tropics, according to research by School of Arts & Sciences biologists Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs. But education and science offer a path forward, they say.

Katherine Unger Baillie

One step closer to an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test
A hand in a black rubber gloves holding a cell phone with a sensor attached. A dropper is touching the sensor.

Created in the lab of César de la Fuente, this miniaturized, portable version of rapid COVID-19 test, which is compatible with smart devices, can detect SARS-CoV-2 within four minutes with nearly 100% accuracy. (Image: Courtesy of César de la Fuente)

One step closer to an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test

The lab of César de la Fuente is working on a paper-based biosensor that could provide results in minutes. Clinical trials began Jan. 5.

Michele W. Berger

Novel anti-craving mechanism discovered to treat cocaine relapse
Profile of human head with brain made up of 3D shapes

Novel anti-craving mechanism discovered to treat cocaine relapse

New research from School of Nursing has discovered that certain biological chemicals are expressed on specific cell types and neural circuits in the brain that reduce cocaine-seeking behavior.

From Penn Nursing News

Dynamic plants
Larger plant growing next to smaller plant

Dynamic plants

Led by School of Arts & Sciences prof Brian Gregory and postdoc Xiang Yu, researchers have uncovered one way plants respond to hormonal cues. A similar process is likely at play in mammals.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Two Penn faculty named 2020 AAAS Fellows
Close-up headshots of two people. The person on the left wears a suit and tie, the one on the right wears a plaid button-down shirt.

Qi Long (left), a professor of biostatistics in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and E. Michael Ostap, a professor of physiology, both of the Perelman School of Medicine, have been named 2020 American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows. (Images: Courtesy of Penn Medicine)

Two Penn faculty named 2020 AAAS Fellows

Qi Long and E. Michael Ostap of the Perelman School of Medicine are among a cohort of 489 distinguished scientists recognized with the honor from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Melissa Moody , Michele W. Berger

Customized kits turn students’ dining rooms into biology labs
Person in mask takes a sample of pond water

Customized kits turn students’ dining rooms into biology labs

Students in introductory biology laboratory courses in the School of Arts & Sciences used customized laboratory kits to get hands-on practice with the scientific method.

Katherine Unger Baillie