Soluble signals released by neighboring cells direct how the human kidney is built Image: Mina De La O via Getty Images Soluble signals released by neighboring cells direct how the human kidney is built Penn Medicine researchers have built the first spatial map of the developing human kidney, showing that soluble signals from neighboring cells steer what each cell becomes. 2 min. read
On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile Arnav Lal collects water at Playa Baquerizo on San Cristóbal Island as a sea lion watches.(Image: Lisa Mattei) On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile Penn researchers have developed a mobile field laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos. 4 min. read
Ménière’s disease may begin early in inner ear development Image: Leonello Calvetti via Getty Images Ménière’s disease may begin early in inner ear development A Penn Medicine study shows the first clear biological roadmap for a poorly understood inner ear disorder. 2 min. read
Penn research into Friedreich’s ataxia reveals how DNA folding can silence a key gene Penn research into Friedreich’s ataxia reveals how DNA folding can silence a key gene A new Penn Medicine study uncovers how a balance between gene activity and DNA folding determines where genes sit in the nucleus—and how misplacement contributes to the neurodegenerative and cardiac disorder.
Blood test predicts kidney failure risk to Black Americans years before onset Image: Rasi Bhadramani via Getty Images Blood test predicts kidney failure risk to Black Americans years before onset A new study from Penn Medicine identifies disease risk among those carrying the high-risk APOL1 gene variant before kidney function declines. 2 min. read
Preventing the spread of a deadly virus to Pennsylvania’s rabbits and hares Image: Rabbitti via Getty Images Preventing the spread of a deadly virus to Pennsylvania’s rabbits and hares Penn Vet’s Wildlife Futures Program has embarked on a genetics study to prevent future outbreaks of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2. 2 min. read
War and the environment, and Neanderthal-human interbreeding Penn In the News The Naked Scientists Podcast War and the environment, and Neanderthal-human interbreeding Daniel Harris of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses research into the interbreeding of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Engineers sharpen gene-editing tools to target cystic fibrosis Beyond cystic fibrosis, the refined base editor could help researchers tackle a wide range of genetic diseases caused by single-letter DNA changes.(Image: Bella Ciervo) Engineers sharpen gene-editing tools to target cystic fibrosis Researchers at Penn Engineering have developed a modified base-pair editor that offers improved accuracy and could help treat diseases like cystic fibrosis. 2 min. read First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers Image: Alena Butusava via Getty Images First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers The new toolkit, developed by Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, allows researchers to test potential cancer targets directly in patient leukemia cells. 2 min. read Gene therapy ‘switch’ may offer non-addictive pain relief Image: nopparit via Getty Images Gene therapy ‘switch’ may offer non-addictive pain relief In a preclinical study, Penn Medicine researchers have uncovered a new gene therapy that targets only pain signals while leaving the rest of the brain untouched. 2 min. read
Engineers sharpen gene-editing tools to target cystic fibrosis Beyond cystic fibrosis, the refined base editor could help researchers tackle a wide range of genetic diseases caused by single-letter DNA changes.(Image: Bella Ciervo) Engineers sharpen gene-editing tools to target cystic fibrosis Researchers at Penn Engineering have developed a modified base-pair editor that offers improved accuracy and could help treat diseases like cystic fibrosis. 2 min. read
First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers Image: Alena Butusava via Getty Images First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers The new toolkit, developed by Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, allows researchers to test potential cancer targets directly in patient leukemia cells. 2 min. read
Gene therapy ‘switch’ may offer non-addictive pain relief Image: nopparit via Getty Images Gene therapy ‘switch’ may offer non-addictive pain relief In a preclinical study, Penn Medicine researchers have uncovered a new gene therapy that targets only pain signals while leaving the rest of the brain untouched. 2 min. read