Recipients honored for advances in antibiotic-free therapies for human and canine atopic dermatitis
[November 22, 2017; Philadelphia, PA] – Charles W. Bradley, VMD, of the School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), and Elizabeth A. Grice, PhD, of the Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine), have been named the 2017 recipients of Penn’s One Health Award, recognizing their exemplary interdisciplinary collaboration in improving health care for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment. The One Health Award was established in 2013 by the deans of the four health schools at Penn: the Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine), the School of Nursing Science (Penn Nursing), the School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental Medicine), and the School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet).
The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 8 at Penn Vet as part of the 2017 Microbiome Symposium.
Research conducted by Bradley and Grice has uncovered important insights about the skin microbiome of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs compared to humans. Canine AD shares important features of the human version, making dogs an excellent clinical model. The research revealed that there is a correlation between the skin’s barrier function, the immune system, and the composition and diversity of bacterial colonization during flares. The hope is that insights gained from this and future studies will enable clinicians to treat AD by altering the skin’s microbiome without antibiotic use.
“We are delighted to recognize the extraordinary research collaborations throughout the University that advance the One Health initiative,” said Joan C. Hendricks, VMD, PhD, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Drs. Bradley and Grice exemplify the spirit of One Health by working to advance the knowledge base for the same skin disease across species. They are also superb in their focus on publicizing the One Health approach in their presentations at scientific and medical conferences.”
Charles W. Bradley, VMD, is an assistant professor of pathology in the Department of Pathobiology at Penn Vet. His research interests are focused on dermatopathology and the role of the microbiome in skin disease, particularly canine atopic dermatitis.
“This award is a true honor, and symbolizes the interdisciplinary support and friendships that have grown out of our work, across campus and health systems,” said Bradley. “Elizabeth and her lab continue to be tremendous colleagues and partners in advancing our research goals. I am thankful for Penn leading in the One Health paradigm where these far-reaching collaborations can take root and flourish.”
Elizabeth A. Grice, PhD, is an assistant professor of dermatology and microbiology at Penn Medicine. Her research focuses on host-microbe interactions of the skin and elucidating their roles in skin health, disease, and wound healing. Grice is on the Board of Directors of the Wound Healing Society and chairs the Admissions Committee for the Genomics and Computational Biology PhD program at Penn.
“The collaboration between my lab and Charles and Penn Vet has been extremely productive, and has also brought to light the values with which we approach our research,” said Grice. “We strive to embrace ‘One Health’ in all lines of research in the lab, recognizing its impact on not only human medicine, but animals and the environment."
About Penn Med
Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $6.7 billion enterprise.
The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $392 million awarded in the 2016 fiscal year.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.
Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2016, Penn Medicine provided $393 million to benefit our community.