Coronavirus Research

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.”

medical professional in scrubs holds a vial of covid vaccine.

Study suggests those who had COVID-19 may only need one vaccine dose

People who have recovered from COVID-19 had a robust antibody response after the first mRNA vaccine dose, therefore only a single dose may be needed to produce a sufficient antibody response, according to new research from the Penn Institute of Immunology.

A yellow Labrador retriever puts its nose up to a metal port

With impressive accuracy, dogs can sniff out coronavirus

In a proof-of-concept study led by the School of Veterinary Medicine, dogs identified positive samples with 96% accuracy.

A hospital room with all lights off but the fluorescent light above bed, which has a green blanket. Behind the bed is a hospital tray that swivels and a blue chair. On the yellow wall behind are about 8 outlets.

In the U.S., COVID-19 wasn’t sole cause of excess deaths in 2020

Comparing death rates in the United States with those of the five biggest European countries, Penn and Max Planck demographers found that significant excess mortality cost more lives annually than the epidemic itself.

Regeneron to seek U.S. OK for COVID-19 cocktail to be used for prevention

Katharine Bar of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about her research on the efficacy of a new preventative treatment for people in households where someone has contracted COVID-19. “These data pave the way for REGEN-COV to be used before patients become symptomatic,” she said.

Kati Kariko helped shield the world from the coronavirus

Katalin Kariko, who worked with colleague Drew Weissman in the Perelman School of Medicine to research mRNA, was profiled. Their findings laid the foundation for the development of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Understanding and addressing barriers to COVID vaccine acceptance

Different communities have different reasons for wanting to wait on this shot. Getting to the heart of those concerns can help meet people where they are.

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