9/20
mRNA Research
Can the COVID playbook help end malaria?
In a Perry World House conversation, Matthew Laurens, Martina Mchenga, and Drew Weissman discussed how lessons from a global pandemic could help in the fight to eradicate malaria.
SCALAR: A microchip designed to transform the production of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines
Researchers have developed a platform that could rapidly accelerate the development of mRNA-based lipid nanoparticle vaccines and therapeutics at both the small and largescale, SCALAR.
Long-awaited accolades for mRNA scientists Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman’s key mRNA discoveries more than 15 years earlier made COVID vaccines possible. Now the global public has opportunities to honor them.
‘In vivo’ RNA-based gene editing model for blood disorders developed
Researchers from Penn Medicine and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia show that gene editing tools can be delivered via lipid nanoparticles, which would reduce cost and increase access to cutting-edge gene therapies.
People with a conspiracy mindset resist childhood vaccination
Research by Dan Romer and Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center explains the role that having a conspiracy mindset plays in adult reluctance to vaccinate children.
Putting biomedical research advances within reach
Treatments and vaccines are only useful in the hands of the people who need them, and Penn Medicine is working toward better access and equity for biomedical innovations.
Why Penn research powers many FDA-approved treatments
Since 2017, the FDA approved more than two dozen new therapies with roots at Penn Medicine—almost half of which are first-in-class for their indications.
Targeted prenatal therapy addresses long-standing gap in health equity
Penn engineers have developed a successful delivery system of mRNA to placental cells to treat preeclampsia at its root.
New mRNA vaccine to fight 20 known subtypes of influenza
Heading into clinical trials, the new research from Penn Medicine may serve as a general preventative measure against future flu pandemics.
Behind the scenes in the lab and the future of mRNA research
Developing new vaccines and novel mRNA delivery methods, coupled with the satisfaction of mentoring and selfless dedication to medicine, inspire the work of scientists at the Weissman Lab.
In the News
A vaccine for pancreatic cancer?
Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine comments on the efficacy of a potential pancreatic cancer vaccine.
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Pancreatic cancer vaccine shows promise in small initial trial
Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine is supportive of findings about a pancreatic cancer vaccine, though he says larger studies are needed to determine effectiveness.
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