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mRNA Research

Katalin Karikó, Nobel Laureate and pioneering mRNA researcher, named to Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania
kariko portrait

Katalin Karikó is a senior vice president at BioNTech and an adjunct professor of neurosurgery in the Perelman School of Medicine. (Image: Peggy Peterson/Courtesy of Penn Medicine)

Katalin Karikó, Nobel Laureate and pioneering mRNA researcher, named to Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania

Karikó was honored by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at a special ceremony in Harrisburg.

Alex Gardner

Understanding the cellular mechanisms driving solid tumors’ robust defense system
A 3D rendering of the tumor microenvironment with cancer cells, T-Cells, nanoparticles, cancer associated fibroblast layer of tumor microenvironment normal cells, molecules, and blood vessels.

In a collaborative interdisciplinary study, Michael Mitchell of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Wei Guo of the School of Arts & Sciences, and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine show that solid tumors can block drug-delivery mechanisms with a “forcefield-like” effect but certain genetic elements that can effectively “shut down” the forcefield. Their findings hint at new targets for delivering cancer treatments that use the body’s immune system to fight tumors.

(Image: iStock / CIPhotos)

Understanding the cellular mechanisms driving solid tumors’ robust defense system

Researchers from Penn have identified a “forcefield-like” defense system in solid tumors and the genetic elements that can switch it off.
Penn pioneers a ‘one-pot platform’ to promptly produce mRNA delivery particles
3D illustration showing cross-section of the lipid nanoparticle carrying mRNA of the virus entering a human cell.

Lipid nanoparticles present one of the most advanced drug delivery platforms to shuttle promising therapeutics such as mRNA but are limited by the time it takes to synthesize cationic lipids, a key component. Now, Michael Mitchell and his team at the School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a faster way to make cationic lipids that are also more versatile, able to carry different kinds of treatments to target specific organs.

(Image: iStock / Dr_Microbe)

Penn pioneers a ‘one-pot platform’ to promptly produce mRNA delivery particles

New lipid platform enables rapid synthesis of molecules that can shuttle therapeutics for a range of diseases with a high degree of organ specificity.
Penn Medicine creates human bird flu vaccine
6ABC.com

Penn Medicine creates human bird flu vaccine

Researchers at Penn Medicine have created a human bird flu vaccine using mRNA, the same platform as the COVID-19 vaccine.

New molecules, inspired by space shuttles, advance lipid nanoparticle delivery for weight control
Microscopic view of lipid nanoparticles.

Like space shuttles using booster rockets to breach the atmosphere, lipid nanoparticles equipped with the new molecule more successfully deliver medicinal payloads.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering)

New molecules, inspired by space shuttles, advance lipid nanoparticle delivery for weight control

Penn Engineering researchers have invented a new way to synthesize the key chemical components of lipid nanoparticles that help protect and deliver medicinal payloads.

From Penn Engineering Today

Penn Vet launches mRNA Research Initiative
Microscopic view of DNA.

Messenger RNA’s (mRNA) flexibility offers promising therapeutic and preventative solutions for a wide array of veterinary pathogens. Penn Vet is unlocking this potential by harnessing mRNA technology for the development of tailored veterinary vaccines.

(Image: Adobe Stock)

Penn Vet launches mRNA Research Initiative

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine today announced the mRNA Research Initiative to advance veterinary vaccine science.

Martin Hackett

What makes a breakthrough? ‘Eight steps back’ before making it to the finish line
Drew Weissman, Virginia M-Y Lee, Katalin Karikó, and Carl June.

(From left to right) Breakthrough Prize recipients Drew Weissman, Virginia M-Y Lee, Katalin Karikó, and Carl June at a reception on Feb. 13.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News)

What makes a breakthrough? ‘Eight steps back’ before making it to the finish line

Four of Penn’s Breakthrough Prize recipients, Carl June, Katalin Karikó, Virginia M-Y Lee, and Drew Weissman, were honored at a reception on Feb. 13.

Meagan Raeke