Coronavirus Research

closeup view of gloved hand holding a vial and pipette in a medical lab.

Existing drugs like statins may be promising COVID-19 treatments

Commentary by two Penn researchers outline a systematic framework for repurposing existing drugs to quickly find new therapies, after an observational study suggested statins may be helpful in combating COVID-19.

COVID-19 ‘long haulers’ face uncertain future

A Penn clinic run by Robert Kotloff of the Perelman School of Medicine is studying and treating patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Beauty and the mask: People who wear face masks rated ‘far more attractive,’ study finds

David Sarwer of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about research he helped conduct about perceptions of mask wearing. “For people who might self-conscious or concerned about how they look in a mask when they go in the public, we now have evidence that says, in reality, people are going to see you as more attractive,” he said.

3-D graphic rendering of the human body surrounded by a large transparent virus cell.

COVID-101: Medical students get a crash course in coronavirus

When physicians-in-training at the Perelman School of Medicine were sent home for remote work and virtual learning due to the pandemic, 80 fourth-year students immersed themselves in a crash course on COVID-19 virology, epidemiology, therapies, vaccines, and related topics.

A hand in a medical glove is see holding a face mask with the words "Mask Tehran."

Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk

The coronavirus crisis and the move to online events presented Penn’s Middle East Center with a rare opportunity to foster the first public conversation about the virus between senior health officials in Iran and counterparts in the United States.

Can dogs detect the novel coronavirus? The nose knows, scientists hope

Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine and A.T. Charlie Johnson of the School of Engineering and Applied Science spoke about how trained dogs and electronic sensors can use scent to detect illness.

Uncovering the neurological connections to COVID-19

A variety of research efforts across Penn are working to uncover the neurological implications of COVID-19, including stroke, neuroinflammation, and loss of smell.

Scientists uncover biological signatures of the worst COVID-19 cases

John Wherry of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about his research on the distinct immune signatures of severe COVID-19 infections, which can cause the typical immune response to go awry.

‘Like a horror movie’: A small border hospital battles the coronavirus

Genevieve Kanter of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about a study she co-authored that warned of disparities in access to critical care facilities amid the pandemic. “Unfortunately, there will be a lot of unnecessary suffering and deaths from COVID-19 because of the lack of I.C.U. capacity in these low-income areas,” she said.

Chalkboard with a bar graph decreasing and a human figure on the last bar spiking in red

Wharton economist talks ensuing coronavirus stimulus bill

Richard Prisinzano of the Penn Wharton Budget Model discusses the competing bills being debated in Congress while extended unemployment benefits stand in limbo.

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