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Infectious Diseases

Research on key host pathways has implications for Ebola and beyond
Ebola virus in cell.

When the Hippo pathway is “off,” the downstream protein YAP (red) is localized to the nucleus. VP40 (cyan), a viral matrix protein found in the Ebola virus, simultaneously drives vigorous formation and egress of virus-like particles along the cell periphery. In addition, Ebola virus nucleoprotein directs the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (yellow), also known as viral factories, in which viral RNA synthesis (transcription and replication) occurs.

(Image: Courtesy of Ronald Harty)

Research on key host pathways has implications for Ebola and beyond

A collaborative team of researchers led by Penn Vet’s Ronald N. Harty and Jingjing Liang show how the Hippo signaling pathway intersects with the virus at multiple stages of the viral life cycle.
When is the best time to catch up on vaccines?
A medical professional applies a bandage to a person’s shoulder after receiving a vaccine.

Image: iStock/PeopleImages

When is the best time to catch up on vaccines?

Determining the right time to get a COVID vaccine depends on medical history, age, the timing of previous COVID vaccine doses, and when a previous case of COVID occurred.

Alex Gardner

Novel mRNA vaccine prevents and treat C. difficile
Microscopic view of C. difficile.

Image: iStock/Dr_Microbe

Novel mRNA vaccine prevents and treat C. difficile

Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have developed the first mRNA vaccine against C. difficile to successfully ward off the bacterial infection.

Alex Gardner

‘Any protein you can imagine, it can deliver’: AI will help discover the next breakthrough in RNA, says Nobel Prize winner Dr. Drew Weissman

‘Any protein you can imagine, it can deliver’: AI will help discover the next breakthrough in RNA, says Nobel Prize winner Dr. Drew Weissman

Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine is launching a new RNA research hub that will use artificial intelligence to help train scientists and guide their experiments.

The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined
A microscopic view of the mpox virus.

Image: iStock/Dr_Microbe

The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined

A national survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in July finds that Americans lack understanding and concern about mpox, highlighting a need for more public health outreach and communication about mpox contagion and vaccines.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center

Exploring the 1918 pandemic’s impact on Philadelphia’s Black and immigrant neighborhoods
Matthew Breier reads city directory.

Matthew Breier, a rising third-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, spent a lot of time going through Philadelphia’s 1918 city directory this summer. Through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program, he is helping professor David Barnes understand the impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic on the city’s Black and immigrant neighborhoods.

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Exploring the 1918 pandemic’s impact on Philadelphia’s Black and immigrant neighborhoods

Rising third-year Matthew Breier has been conducting research with public health historian David Barnes through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.