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Science & Research News


Microscopic view of an X chromosome

An integral T cell pathway helps regulate female gene expression

Penn Vet researchers have revealed a connection between NF-κB signaling pathways and X chromosome inactivation, which has implications for understanding sex-based immune responses during infection.

Jeremy Wang

Penn Vet and Penn Medicine Researchers Receive Nearly $6 Million in Renewed NIH Funding to Study Epigenetics of Reproduction in Animals and Humans

A multidisciplinary group of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and the University’s Perelman School of Medicine (Perelman) have received $5.95 million in renewed funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study male and female reproduction in animals and humans.

Dog putting its head under water

Penn Vet Working Dog Center researchers have identified a field-applicable way to help dogs cool down after exercise

As the director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Cynthia Otto sees that, because working dogs are selected for high motivation, their drive can override physiological signs that they’re getting too hot. She says a search dog working in a humid environment or a police dog tracking a criminal could be at risk of exertional hyperthermia, an exercise-induced increase in core temperature above the baseline.

Tumor microenvironment

A modified peptide shows promise for fighting tumors

Researchers in Penn Vet led a collaborative study that demonstrates how a modified peptide normalizes tumor vasculature and enhances various cancer treatments.

A picture of Bonnie Vecchiarelli, second from left; Dipti Pitta, middle; and Nagaraju Indugu.

Understanding how a red seaweed reduces methane emissions from cows

Methane emissions from livestock are a leading contributor to climate warming. In a collaborative study testing the diets of cows, Dipti Pitta (pictured) and Nagaraju Indugu of the School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues looked at how a red seaweed diet reduces methane emissions as part of an effort to address climate change.

A photo of Andrew Hoffman, Kotaro Sasaki, and Chris J. Lengner.

Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, Named Richard King Mellon Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine

[July 11, 2024; Philadelphia, PA] – Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, the Richard King Mellon Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences.

Moncla 1500x650

Early-Career Scientist from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Named 2024 Pew Biomedical Scholar

The Pew Charitable Trusts has named Louise Moncla, PhD, an assistant professor of Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), a 2024 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.

 

A microscopy image shows seminoma tissue in patient’s testis showing large, round cells with clear cytoplasm

Kotaro Sasaki and his team unveil the genetics of testicular cancer

Researchers develop the first in vitro seminoma model, shedding light on chromosomal anomalies and signaling pathways.

 

Image of Cryptosporidium

How deadly parasites choose to be male

Penn Vet researchers reveal the gene expression across the life cycle of Cryptosporidium and identify the determinant of maleness.

Brianna Blunck and Natalie Bauer standing in front of sign

Exploring wildlife medicine in a summer externship

Two graduating Penn Vet students reflect on their Rocky Mountain Wildlife Veterinary Externship experience last summer, researching black-footed ferrets, bighorn sheep, and elk.

Cryptosporidium

A hopeful time for Cryptosporidium research

Boris Striepen of Penn Vet organized the First Biennial Cryptosporidium Meeting, bringing together researchers and clinicians from around the world to discuss the problems and progress around the parasite and the diarrheal disease it causes.

mRNA

Penn Vet Announces mRNA Research Initiative to Advance Veterinary Vaccine Science

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) announced the launch of the School’s mRNA Research Initiative to fast-track the development of veterinary mRNA-based vaccines and host-directed therapies.

Woman works in a lab.

Understanding chronic wasting disease in deer

A new collaborative study with Penn Vet researchers analyzed fecal samples to shed light on how the fatal disease impacts the gut microbiome in deer, providing a promising tool for disease surveillance.

Artist's interpretation of human lungs and a virus.

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.

fMRI activity

Using fMRI, new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function

School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine researchers identified a retinal disease to evaluate the success of gene and cell replacement therapy.

Oriol Sunyer-thumb copy

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Shed New Light on the Evolution of Adaptive Immunity in Cold-Blooded Vertebrates

[December 1, 2023; Philadelphia, PA] – Upon infection or immunization, all jawed vertebrate species generate proteins called antibodies that bind and neutralize pathogens. Strong and long-lasting antibody responses in warm-blooded species such as mammals are produced in secondary lymphoid microstructures (SLMs) among which germinal centers (GCs) are the centerpiece.

From left, Camila Amorim, Phillip Scott, Elizabeth A. Grice, Daniel P. Beiting, and Tej Singh

Uncovering the role of skin microbiome and immune response in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Two new studies led by Phillip Scott of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Elizabeth Grice of the Perelman School of Medicine demonstrate how bacteria found in leishmaniasis skin lesions and an associated immune response drive disease burden and treatment failure—and suggest new possibilities for treatment of the parasitic disease.

Nicola Mason and Antonia Rotolo

Study shows promise for iNKT cell platform to treat cancer

Researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine have shown that invariant natural killer T cells from a healthy donor can persist in MHC-mismatched canines, demonstrating a reliable platform to inform human clinical trials.

Stroma targeting CAR T Cells suround a tumor

Removing the barrier surrounding solid tumors clears path for T cells

Penn researchers uncover a new way to target solid tumors. Using CAR T cells to remove cancer-associated fibroblasts surrounding pancreatic tumors allows T cells to infiltrate and attack the tumor cells.

colorectal cancer

Genetic switch turns tumor suppressor into oncogene in colorectal cancer

Researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine have shown that an enzyme that suppresses early-stage colorectal cancer switches to become an oncogene as the cancer progresses.