Looking to AI to solve antibiotic resistance nocred Looking to AI to solve antibiotic resistance Researchers across Penn have developed an artificial intelligence tool for mining genetic elements from ancient molecules to discover new antibiotics.
Fruitful insights on the brain China Byrns used high-magnification confocal microscopy to visualize senescent glia (red) in Drosophila brains as part of a multidisciplinary approach to define the origin and effects of senescent cells in brain aging.(Image: Courtesy of Riya Anand) Fruitful insights on the brain Research led by China Byrns of the lab of Nancy M. Bonini in the School of Arts & Sciences have uncovered new details about the role of zombie-like cells in brain aging, using the fruit fly as a model.
New insights on cellular clones and inflammation in bones Hajishengallis, an expert in the immune mechanisms behind the gum disease periodontitis, worked with an international team to show that the innate immune system--typically thought to lack immune memory--can in fact be trained to "remember" past threats. New insights on cellular clones and inflammation in bones Research led by George Hajishengallis of Penn Dental sheds light on an aging-related condition that drives inflammation in older populations.
Honoring a life scientist’s lifesaving science nocred Honoring a life scientist’s lifesaving science Carl June accepted the 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences at a Los Angeles ceremony, making him the sixth recipient from Penn.
Adding diversity to your research process: A new system Image: iStock/Wavebreakmedia Adding diversity to your research process: A new system A Penn team has created guidelines and a best practices overview for incorporating equity and diversity into the research process.
A humanities pathway to pre-med In a theatre class, Emily Monfort and Izzy DiCampli work on umbrellas that will be built into dragon heads for the play “She Kills Monsters.” nocred A humanities pathway to pre-med Pre-med students majoring in English, theatre, history, and other humanities fields find satisfaction in tapping into multiple interests—and see benefits for a career in medicine.
2023 PIP/PEP winners: Where are they now? Recipients of the 2023 President’s Innovation Prize, team Sonura, five bioengineering graduates from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, have created a device that filters out disruptive environmental noises for infants in neonatal intensive care units. Their beanie offers protection and fosters parental connection to newborns while also supporting their development. nocred 2023 PIP/PEP winners: Where are they now? Nearly a year after the winners of the President’s Innovation Prize (PIP) and President’s Engagement Prize (PEP) began their projects, the winners—now alumni—discuss their progress.
‘Switchable’ bispecific antibodies pave way for safer cancer treatment Bispecific T cell engagers are emerging as a powerful class of immunotherapy to treat cancer but are sometimes hindered by unwanted outcomes, such as on-target, off-tumor toxicity; cytokine release syndrome; and neurotoxicity. Now, researchers Penn researchers have developed a novel “switchable” bispecific T cell engager that mitigates these negative effects by co-opting a drug already approved by the FDA. (Image: iStock / CIPhotos) ‘Switchable’ bispecific antibodies pave way for safer cancer treatment Immunotherapy utilizing an FDA-approved drug has enabled Penn researchers to develop a novel switchable bispecific T cell engager that mitigates negative outcomes of immunotherapy.
‘Natural’ deaths likely COVID-19 related Many deaths during the pandemic which were not listed as /COVID-related may have, in fact, been as a result of COVID. In a collaborative study, researchers in the School of Arts & Sciences found that increases in non-COVID excess deaths occurred at the same time or in the month prior to increases in reported COVID-19 deaths in most U.S. counties, indicating that many COVID deaths went uncounted as such. (Image: iStock/BriVisu) ‘Natural’ deaths likely COVID-19 related New study led by Penn and Boston University provides the most compelling data yet to suggest excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses and other natural causes were driven by COVID-19 infections.
Noor Momin harnesses the immune system to treat heart disease Image: Kjpargeter for Shutterstock Noor Momin harnesses the immune system to treat heart disease The Stephenson Foundation Term Assistant Professor of Innovation and her lab members work to engineer nanoparticles as medicinal vehicles to fit directly into a single cell.