Coronavirus Research

A unique but exemplary academic year: 2020-21 in review

A challenging yet successful year—Penn’s exceptional community of dedicated students, faculty, and staff overcame the world’s most significant obstacles to flourish, from outreach locally through volunteerism, to helping the world globally with mRNA technology. The 2021 academic year highlighted the best of Penn.

Forbes

New drug may bypass SARS-CoV-2 blockade of innate immune response

Researchers led by Sara Cherry of the Perelman School of Medicine have identified a drug that may prevent and treat COVID-19 by activating the body’s immune response.

Microscopic view of lung epithelial cells.

Researchers discover drug that blocks multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants

The drug diABZI—which activates the body’s innate immune response—was highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice that were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and likely other coronaviruses.

Low on antibodies, blood cancer patients can fight off COVID-19 with T cells

T cells can step up to do the job when antibodies are depleted, suggests a new Penn Medicine study of blood cancer patients with COVID-19.

6ABC.com

UPenn working on rapid COVID test that delivers results within minutes

César de la Fuente of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test he and his team are developing. "This particular one is made out of cardboard, so it's recyclable and low cost," he said.

Gloved hands holding a smart phone with a cord plugged in that is attached to lab equipment.

Rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test delivers accurate results within 4 minutes

The low-cost biosensor test developed by Penn Medicine could extend COVID-19 testing with 90% accuracy to remote and disadvantaged areas.

Today

Meet the woman who helped make Pfizer and Moderna vaccines possible

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about their work developing mRNA-based vaccines.

A fluorescent microscopic image of a cell labeled in orange with virus particles emerging from it labeled green.

Blocking viruses’ exit strategy

Tests of a new antiviral that aims to prevent the deadly Marburg virus from spreading in the body show promise, according to a study led by School of Veterinary Medicine researchers.

In the vaccine trenches with Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman

Key breakthroughs leading to the powerful mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 were forged at Penn, and the COVID-19 vaccines may only be the beginning of its impact on 21st-century medicine.

The Business Journals

‘There is no one silver bullet’: Local experts talk about their ongoing fight against Covid-19

Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses advancements made alongside research partner Katalin Kariko on mRNA technology.

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