Genetics | Penn Today

a tiny fish swims under green, murky water

How one gene in a tiny fish may alter an aquatic ecosystem

Linking genomics to evolution to ecology, the work takes an unusual approach to reveal broad implications of how species adapt to their local environment.

A group of people, some holding sacks, next to a small rustic house and under trees

The diversity of rural African populations extends to their microbiomes

In the largest study of its kind, researchers led by PIK Professor Sarah Tishkoff, Matthew Hansen, and Meagan Rubel investigated the gut microbiomes of people from Botswana and Tanzania, and illuminate the impact of lifestyle, geography, and genetics in shaping the microbiome.

Using fat cells to predict response to anti-diabetes drugs

In a new study, a team of researchers have demonstrated—using fat cells derived from human stem cells—that individual genetic variation can be used to predict whether the TZD rosiglitazone will produce the unwanted side effect of increasing cholesterol levels in certain individuals.

anatomically-accurate heart superimposed over graphic waves

Personalized gene editing is a family affair

A new stem cell-based test aims to decrease the uncertainty of gene variants and their affect on a patient’s health.

What’s new, and what’s not, in the reported birth of the CRISPR babies

The Perelman School of Medicine’s Kiran Musunuru said that the birth of gene-edited babies does not constitute a scientific advancement because “there was nothing preventing previous researchers who edited human embryos from doing the same, except their own ethics and morals.”

one-half of a child's face with a fake mustache

Why we have hair here, but not there

A new study answers a fundamental question in human evolution about how and where hair grows on the body, and reveals the existence of a naturally-occurring inhibitor to hair growth.

CHOP set to open its gene-therapy factory

In collaboration with the Perelman School of Medicine, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has built a clinical manufacturing facility in University City. The lab hopes to significantly lower the cost of gene therapy.

Seeking greater inclusivity in genomics research

PIK Professor Sarah Tishkoff’s recent presentation at the American Society of Human Genetics meeting emphasized the important of engaging with diverse communities when studying genetics.

Multidisciplinary team to develop stem cell-based approaches to restore vision

Gene therapies have had success in treating blindness but can’t save areas of the retina where cells have already died. In a new effort, School of Veterinary Medicine scientists John Wolfe and William Beltran will attempt to develop a stem-cell-based approach that restores vision.

Elizabeth Warren’s DNA test: How reliable is it? A Penn prof explains

Theodore Schurr of the School of Arts and Sciences said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s genetic analysis, which used indigenous DNA samples from Peru, Mexico, and Colombia as reference points, was legitimate due to historical migration patterns.

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