11/15
Genetics
Correcting a blind spot
Correcting a blind spot
A groundbreaking genetic study seeks to transform the prevention and treatment of glaucoma while reversing historical racial disparities in who suffers from the disease, and who benefits from such research.
Could a new blood test predict preterm labor?
Could a new blood test predict preterm labor?
Research that included Medicine’s Michal Elovitz reveals that a non-invasive blood test might have the ability to determine a baby’s gestational age in utero and predict preterm delivery.
The varying skin colors of Africa: Light, dark, and all in between
The varying skin colors of Africa: Light, dark, and all in between
A team of geneticists led by Sarah Tishkoff, a Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, has shown that there is a huge amount of variation of skin color within Africa, ranging from skin as light as some Asians to the darkest skin on a global level.
Race has a place in human genetics research, philosopher argues
Race has a place in human genetics research, philosopher argues
New research out of the philosophy department argues that certain racial classifications have utility in medical genetics, particularly when considering those classifications as ancestry groups.
Genetic variant largely found in patients of African descent increases risk for heart failure
Genetic variant largely found in patients of African descent increases risk for heart failure
A new study, led by Penn Medicine, reveals that this genetic cause of heart failure, which is now treatable, is significantly underdiagnosed.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
A Philly biotech got $60M from a TED initiative for AI in medicine
David Fajgenbaum of the Perelman School of Medicine helped found Every Cure, a biotechnology nonprofit that employs AI to help match existing treatments to new diseases.
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Stat
Study of gender-affirming care reveals immune system sex differences
Montserrat Anguera of the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine comments on the work to comprehensively examine the impact of gender-affirming care on the immune system.
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The New York Times
A disease that makes children age rapidly gets closer to a cure
Kiran Musunuru of the Perelman School of Medicine says there’s no guarantee that gene editing which worked well in mice will also work with human patients.
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USA Today
She’s fighting to stop the brain disease that killed her mother before it gets her
Kiran Musunuru of the Perelman School of Medicine comments on shutting off genetic signals in the brain to hold off diseases.
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The Washington Post
FDA approves two sickle cell therapies, including first CRISPR medicine
Kiran Musunuru of the Perelman School of Medicine says that gene editing will be the biggest story of the century.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
More than 260,000 Penn Medicine patients have agreed to share their DNA for research, and the discoveries are just getting started
More than 260,000 people have signed up to participate in Penn Medicine BioBank, co-directed by Marilyn Ritchie and Dan Rader, which cross-references DNA with electronic health records to discover genetic variants of medical conditions.
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