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mRNA Research

New mRNA vaccine to fight 20 known subtypes of influenza
Four bottles of Influenza vaccine beside one medical syringe.

Image: Bernard Chantal for Adobe Stock

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.

From Penn Medicine News

Behind the scenes in the lab and the future of mRNA research
A gloved hand holding a small vial of Sars-CoV2 mRNA vaccine.

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.

Alex Gardner

University of Pennsylvania’s first NFT commemorates mRNA research
Lots of gold blobs, some larger and closer to the front of the image, some smaller and farther away, on a pinkish background.

A still image from the 3D animated video component of the non-fungible token, which will also include patent documents and a letter from Drew Weissman of Penn Medicine. (Image: Courtesy Penn Medicine and Christie’s)

University of Pennsylvania’s first NFT commemorates mRNA research

Proceeds from the July auction of the non-fungible token—a digital asset—will benefit ongoing research at Penn.

Penn Medicine , Brandon Lausch , Peter Winicov

From a pandemic, scientific insights poised to impact more than just COVID-19
emulsions of oil and water separated by a layer of nanoparticles.

Bijels, or bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels, are structured emulsions of oil and water that are kept separated by a layer of nanoparticles. Penn Engineering researchers will develop a way of using them to manufacture mRNA-based therapeutics. (Image: Penn Engineering Today)

From a pandemic, scientific insights poised to impact more than just COVID-19

Pivoting to study SARS-CoV-2, many scientists on campus have launched new research projects that address the challenges of the pandemic but also prepare us to confront future challenges.

Katherine Unger Baillie

From foundational discoveries to profound impact
weissman and kariko in the lab Today, Weissman and colleagues are working to develop a pan-coronavirus vaccine capable of protecting the population against SARS, MERS, SARS-CoV-2, and more. At BioNTech, Karikó is overseeing parallel but distinct research on a range of diseases in which patients receive mRNA encoding therapeutic proteins. (Image: Peggy Peterson)

From foundational discoveries to profound impact

How decades of mRNA research at Penn made powerful new COVID-19 vaccines possible—and opened a new vista for future discoveries.

Ashley Rabinovitch

Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó receive 2021 Lasker Award
Drew Weisman and Katalin Kariko wear masks in a lab and look at liquid in a test tube.

mRNA scientists Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor of Vaccine Research in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, and Katalin Karikó, an adjunct professor of neurosurgery at Penn and a senior vice president at BioNTech. (Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine)

Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó receive 2021 Lasker Award

Weissman and Karikó’s mRNA technology is recognized for enabling rapid development of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines

Alex Gardner

Penn engineers will develop on-demand, on-site mRNA manufacturing
emulsions of oil and water separated by a layer of nanoparticles.

Bijels, or bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels, are structured emulsions of oil and water that are kept separated by a layer of nanoparticles. Penn Engineering researchers will develop a way of using them to manufacture mRNA-based therapeutics. (Image: Penn Engineering Today)

Penn engineers will develop on-demand, on-site mRNA manufacturing

With an NSF grant, Penn Engineering researchers are developing a new manufacturing technique that would be able to produce mRNA sequences in a way that removes the need for cryogenic temperatures.

From Penn Engineering Today

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines induce T-cell responses in multiple sclerosis patients
Person in full PPE administering a vaccine to another person sittting on a hospital bed.

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines induce T-cell responses in multiple sclerosis patients

Research from Penn Medicine shows mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective at inducing T-cell responses in multiple sclerosis patients who receive B cell-depleting Infusions even if their antibody responses are diminished.

From Penn Medicine News