Medicine

The wilderness of rare genetic diseases and the parents navigating it

Jim Wilson of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about his research at Penn’s Orphan Disease Center. “When I was practicing clinical genetics, it was limited to diagnosis and prognosis,” he said. “Now, in a limited number of diseases, there are potential treatments, if not cures.”

Array of multiple kinds of prescription pills spilled on a surface.

Long-term use of muscle relaxants has skyrocketed since 2005

Penn Medicine researchers found the drugs were prescribed disproportionately to older adults, often concurrently with opioids, despite warnings against this dangerous combination.

To heal meniscus injuries, researchers go to the heart of a cell

Using an enzyme inhibitor in meniscus cells, a Penn team is able to soften the cells’ nucleus and promote access to previously impassible tissue.

Surgeon uses an imaging machine to assess a tumor

Glowing dye may aid in eliminating cancer

In dogs with mammary tumors, researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine used a substance that glows under near-infrared light to illuminate cancer.

A gloved hand administers a vaccine to a person’s upper arm.

Why flu vaccinations will matter even more during the pandemic

From a financial standpoint, a new paper makes a case for widespread influenza vaccination based on estimates of the effectiveness of investments in mitigating both influenza and COVID-19.

Landscape photo of a park, with a sign that reads "Welcome to Historic Clark Park, University City, Established 1895"

Can spending time in nature prevent or lessen postpartum depression?

Nurtured in Nature, a pilot project in Black communities conducted by Penn Medicine’s Eugenia South, aims to find out.

A pair of hands using a personal blood sugar measuring device.

Researchers identify novel genetic variants linked to Type 2 diabetes

Largest-ever study of its kind finds variants that may predispose some people to develop the disease and related conditions like coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Pregnant person looks out the window with a hand on their stomach.

Pregnant in the pandemic: How Penn Medicine supports new and expectant parents

Medical staff in Penn’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are meeting the challenge of optimizing care for pregnant patients during the pandemic.

heart overlaid with depiction of irregular heartbeat

Critically ill patients with COVID-19 at risk to develop heart rhythm disorders

A Penn study suggests cardiac arrests and arrhythmias are likely triggered by systemic illness, not solely due to the viral infection itself.

Medical professional wearing PPE using lab equipment in a lab.

How clinical research coordinators run COVID trials

At Penn Medicine, there are approximately 1,000 clinical research staff, including clinical trial regulatory staff, clinical research assistant and nurses, and project managers and directors working with lead research physicians on COVID trials.

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