11/15
Genetics
Decolonializing science and technology
Decolonializing science and technology
Kim Tallbear, professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta, delivered the Provost’s lecture on diversity on decolonializing science and technology.
Genomics reveals a complex human history in Africa
Genomics reveals a complex human history in Africa
An international team of researchers led by Penn geneticists sequenced the genomes of 180 Indigenous Africans. The results shed light on the origin of modern humans, African population history, and local adaptation.
Who, What, Why: Sociologist Wendy Roth on genetic ancestry tests and race perception
Who, What, Why: Sociologist Wendy Roth on genetic ancestry tests and race perception
With funding from the National Institutes of Health, Roth plans to explore how people view others who change their racial identity based on results from at-home DNA kits.
Solving medical mysteries with genetics: The Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center
Solving medical mysteries with genetics: The Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center
The Penn Neurogenetics Therapy Center works to achieve a genetic diagnosis for as many patients as possible, and establish clinical trials using novel gene and molecular therapies.
Proactive genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk can help improve outcomes
Proactive genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk can help improve outcomes
Neonatal intensive care nurse Kimyatta Frazier found solace in a relationship with a genetic counselor at Penn Medicine who would be instrumental in helping her feel more in control of any future cancer diagnoses.
$25M gift establishes Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome at Penn Medicine
$25M gift establishes Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome at Penn Medicine
The generosity of Penn alumnus Michael Armellino creates a center for the care of patients with the rare genetic condition across all stages of life and propels scientific discovery.
Genomic differences selected through evolution may offer clues as to why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely
Genomic differences selected through evolution may offer clues as to why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely
A team from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed genomic data from global populations, including thousands of ethnically diverse Africans, to identify genetic variants that may be associated with clinical COVID-19 outcomes.
Elizabeth Heller’s lab uncovers how drug addiction can create lasting changes in genes
Elizabeth Heller’s lab uncovers how drug addiction can create lasting changes in genes
Leading a neuroepigenetics lab at her alma mater, Heller and the work of her 10-person lab is focused on molecular brain mechanisms, aiming to uncover chronic changes that can happen and keep happening in the brain long after exposure to addictive substances ends.
Correcting night blindness in dogs
Correcting night blindness in dogs
Researchers in the School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues have developed a gene therapy that restores dim-light vision in dogs with a congenital form of night blindness, offering hope for treating a similar condition in people.
A new study finds genome refolding contributes to resistance to cancer therapy
A new study finds genome refolding contributes to resistance to cancer therapy
While gene mutations can lead to drug resistance, researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine have identified an important, non-genetic adaptation that could also drive resistance to targeted therapy in T cell leukemia, a type of blood cell cancer.
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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