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mRNA Research

Researchers breathe new life into lung repair
Artist's interpretation of human lungs and a virus.

Respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19 drive inflammatory responses that can cause long-term damage to the lungs and can be difficult to treat. Now, by using techniques that deliver mRNA via lipid nanoparticles, researchers led by Andrew Vaughan of the School of Veterinary Medicine were able to greatly enhance modes of repair for damaged blood vessels in the lung, leading to improved oxygen saturation.

(Image: iStock/Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen)

Researchers breathe new life into lung repair

A collaborative effort from teams across Penn culminates in new techniques to repair lung tissue after damage from flu and COVID-19.
Breaching the blood-brain barrier
Researchers Mike Mitchell and Emily Han examining a microfluidic device used to make LNPs by mixing lipids and mRNA.

Michael Mitchell (left) and Emily Han (right) examine a microfluidic device used to make LNPs by mixing lipids and mRNA. 

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Breaching the blood-brain barrier

A team of researchers in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, potentially advancing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and seizures.
Could a single shot heal heart disease?
A medical professional takes the blood pressure of a mature patient.

Image: iStock/Prostock-Studio

Could a single shot heal heart disease?

Experts at Penn Medicine are researching novel treatments for heart disease, including CRISPR gene editing technology, CAR T technology, and mRNA injections.

Rachel Ewing

A space for lifesaving, collaborative work
rna lab opening group photo From left to right: J. Larry Jameson, Liz Magill, Drew Weissman, Katalin Karikó, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kevin B. Mahoney, Jonathan A. Epstein, and James Hoxie.

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A space for lifesaving, collaborative work

Gov. Josh Shapiro, President Liz Magill, and others from the University community celebrated the new home of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.

Lauren Hertzler

‘A booster for all of us’
Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman and a crowd of people at Penn Medicine.

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman were named winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday, Oct. 2. The Penn Medicine community came together to celebrate the duo.

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‘A booster for all of us’

The Penn Medicine community gathered Monday afternoon, toasting to Penn’s new Nobel laureates.

Lauren Hertzler

A wrong number, a cryptic message, and a big Nobel win
kariko and weissman at nobel press conference

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A wrong number, a cryptic message, and a big Nobel win

Nobel Prize winners Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman share their thoughts on their newly minted honor at a University press conference.

Kristen de Groot

Can the COVID playbook help end malaria?
A Perry World House forum at the University of Pennsylvania discusses how lessons from COVID-19 can impact the fight to end malaria

A Sept. 12 Perry World House event, Can the COVID Playbook Help End Malaria?, looked at the historic fight against this disease, along with new developments in mRNA vaccine technologies and lessons learned from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

(Image: Gabby Szczepanek)

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.

Kristina García

SCALAR: A microchip designed to transform the production of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines
Silicon wafer with chips lightinhg in neon light.

Led by Michael Mitchell and David Issadore of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, a team of researchers has developed a platform that could rapidly accelerate the development of mRNA-based lipid nanoparticle vaccines and therapeutics at both the small and large scale, SCALAR.

(Image: iStock / Anatoly Morozov)

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.