Coronavirus Research

Are latent viruses causing long COVID-19 symptoms? Patient groups push for testing

Benjamin Abramoff of the Perelman School of Medicine said that the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic doesn’t test patients for viral reactivation. “Given that these are seen in other disease processes, we do not think this is likely the driver of long-term symptoms,” he said.

An etched silicon and glass wafer on a surface with a quarter beside it for scale.

New microfluidic device delivers mRNA nanoparticles a hundred times faster

With a “liquid assembly line,” Penn researchers have produced mRNA-delivering-nanoparticles significantly faster than standard microfluidic technologies.

Racial differences in COVID mortality rates linked to unequal hospital quality, Penn study shows

David Asch and Rachel Werner of the Leonard Davis Institute co-authored research that found disparities between COVID-19 outcomes based on which hospital a patient was admitted to. “Patients tend to go to hospitals that are near them, and therefore Black patients are more likely to go to hospitals that are underresourced,” said Asch. “It’s a story of inequity, it’s a story of structural racism that has its origins centuries in the past.”

African American COVID patient wearing a respirator in a hospital bed.

Trauma patients with COVID-19 face greater risk of complications and death

Penn Medicine research shows COVID-19-positive patients with traumatic injuries have six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without COVID.

Online learning’s impact on student performance

Alex Rees-Jones of the Wharton School co-authored a study that found that online learning during the pandemic had a negative impact on student learning.

Two people seated at a table in front of a panel that reads "Penn Medicine" many times over. The person on the left is wearing a gray suit, with a white shirt and red tie. The person on the right is wearing glasses, an orange shirt, and a black cardigan.

Penn mRNA pioneers receive the Princess of Asturias Award

Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó earned the prestigious honor for their foundational research that led to development of two lifesaving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Black hospital patient in bed with nurse in full PPE preparing to put oxygen mask on patient’s face.

Higher COVID-19 mortality among Black patients linked to unequal hospital quality

If Black patients were admitted to the same hospitals that serve a majority of white patients, Penn Medicine researchers show their risk of death would drop by 10%.

Nurse in full PPE including a face shield.

A year later: Penn LDI COVID-19 rapid response research grant projects

The Rapid Response Grants for COVID-19 research projects have produced important new insights relevant to current pandemic response, as well as preparations for future infectious disease emergencies.

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.

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.

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