Coronavirus Research

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

With few new clotting cases, Johnson & Johnson pause could be lifted soon

Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a professor of medical ethics and health policy, says that the benefits of more available vaccines outweighs the possible risks the J&J shot may have on the population. “It’s just very hard for me to see, even if you multiply the number of cases by five or by 10, that you come to the conclusion that this is not a good thing to do, giving you the vaccine.”

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