Coronavirus Research

Pioneering mRNA technology in Moderna, Pfizer vaccines developed at University of Pennsylvania

Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about his contributions to the COVID-19 vaccine. "My dream has always been to develop a drug, vaccine, treatment that helps people. This, I think, has accomplished that," he said.

James M. Wilson, director of the Gene Therapy Program, the Rose H. Weiss Professor and director of the Orphan Disease Center, and a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine.

Repurposing a proven gene therapy approach to treat, prevent COVID-19

In a Q&A, Penn Medicine’s James M. Wilson discusses using adeno-associated viral vectors to transport a lab-made antibody cocktail into the body. This method, delivered via nasal spray or mist, has the potential to act as a “bioshield” against SARS-CoV-2.

A person in scrubs sitting in a chair in an auditorium. A person in darker scrubs stands above, with other people walking and moving in the background.

First COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Penn Medicine

By week’s end, the health system expects to receive about 9,275 doses of the Pfizer vaccine for its frontline teams.

We know how to curb the pandemic. How do we make people listen?

Cristina Bicchieri of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about modeling safe behavior to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “To create a new norm,” she said, “you need to build this sense that other people are following the rules.”

A home health aid wearing a face mask uses an oximeter on an elderly patient at home.

Home health care improves COVID-19 outcomes

Survivors of COVID-19 often have health ramifications from their illness and hospital stay, and until now, no data has been available on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients discharged home after hospitalization and their recovery needs.

Two medical professionals in full PPE intubate a patient on a hospital bed.

Researchers begin forming guidance on properly managing COVID-19 patient airways

As the pandemic continues and knowledge about it evolves, a team of researchers has worked to form a consensus on topics including intubation, high-flow nasal oxygen, and the use of personal protective equipment.

Years of research laid groundwork for speedy COVID-19 shots

Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about using mRNA to develop efficient vaccines. “Instead of growing up a virus in a 50,000-liter drum and inactivating it, we could deliver RNA and our bodies make the protein, which starts the immune response,” he said.

Heart rate being monitored on cardiogram in a hospital room.

COVID-19 patients survive in-hospital cardiac arrest at pre-pandemic rates

Resuscitation and survival rates are much higher than earlier reports of near-zero, and variation at the individual hospital level may have affected overall numbers.

Illustration of a T cell releasing signaling molecules, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13

Charting a path forward with unifying definition of cytokine storm

Penn Medicine researchers have developed a unifying definition of “cytokine storm” to provide a framework to assess and treat patients whose immune systems have gone rogue.

The COVID-19 symptoms to watch out for

Richard Doty of the Perelman School of Medicine said one COVID-19 symptom is a distorted sense of smell or taste. “Even water can become unpleasant,” he said.

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