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Parasitic worms offer ‘the missing link’ on the dual nature of a key immune regulator
Microscopic image of cell labeled with red, blue, and green

Samples of nasal polyps removed from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis revealed the perforin-2 protein (labeled in green) in the cellular plasma membrane. A pore protein, perforin-2 may be how IL-33, a key immune signaling molecule, is able to exit these cells to trigger an immune response, according to new work led by a Penn Vet-led team. (Image: Courtesy of De’Broski Herbert)

Parasitic worms offer ‘the missing link’ on the dual nature of a key immune regulator

Whether the signaling molecule IL-33 wakes up or turns down the immune response depends on what cell type releases it, School of Veterinary Medicine researchers found.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Five Penn faculty elected to the National Academy of Medicine
five faculty headshots and the Penn shield

The National Academy of Medicine welcomed 100 new members in their class of 2020, including five from Penn: from top left: William Beltran, Ronald Paul DeMatteo, Matthew McHugh, Raina Merchant, and Hongjun Song.

Five Penn faculty elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Five faculty from Penn are among the newest members of the National Academy of Medicine: William Beltran of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Matthew McHugh of the School of Nursing, and Ronald DeMatteo, Raina Merchant, and Hongjun Song of the Perelman School of Medicine.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Novel canine scent detection program may help battle spotted lanternfly
A spotted lanternfly in mid-flight

Novel canine scent detection program may help battle spotted lanternfly

The launch of Penn Vet's training program comes at a critical time for spotted lanternfly management in Pennsylvania. Beyond causing severe damage to trees and the insect poses a significant threat to state agriculture.

From Penn Vet

UPenn releases surprising report on 9/11 rescue dogs and their causes of death

UPenn releases surprising report on 9/11 rescue dogs and their causes of death

Research from the School of Veterinary Medicine tracked the causes of death for 95 search-and-rescue dogs deployed on 9/11 and showed that most of the dogs died of typical age-related conditions and outlived others of their breeds. “Dogs have a really good filtering system,” said Cynthia Otto. “Their lungs are different—they don’t get asthma, for example.”

Tracking the working dogs of 9/11
Veterinarians and handlers with their search-and-rescue dogs

Cynthia Otto (center) cared for search-and-rescue dogs during their work at the 9/11 disaster site, later studying the impact of their service on their health. (Image: Courtesy of Cynthia Otto)

Tracking the working dogs of 9/11

A study of search and rescue dogs led by the School of Veterinary Medicine showed little difference in longevity or cause of death between dogs at the disaster site and dogs in a control group.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Penn Vet expands timely dual degree during COVID-19 pandemic
Jennifer Punt stands with three students in a lab setting discussing a paper.

Jennifer Punt and One Health in Practice students. (Pre-pandemic image: Penn Vet News)

Penn Vet expands timely dual degree during COVID-19 pandemic

The interdisciplinary “One Health in Practice” curriculum positions veterinarians for new career pathways in human, environmental health.

From Penn Vet

Progress toward a treatment for Krabbe disease
Sequence of 8 MRI images showing treated versus untreated brains from 16 to 52 weeks

Treating dogs with Krabbe disease, a rare and fatal condition that also affects infants, with a gene therapy targeted to the brain led to remarkable results in a study led by a team from the School of Veterinary Medicine. (Image: Courtesy of Charles Vite)

Progress toward a treatment for Krabbe disease

The inherited disease, which typically kills children before their second birthday, has no cure, but a School of Veterinary Medicine study in a canine model offers hope for an effective gene therapy with lasting results.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Poultry in a pandemic: Getting the facts on keeping backyard flocks
hen in a coop with two eggs on hay on the ground

Poultry in a pandemic: Getting the facts on keeping backyard flocks

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Penn Vet’s Sherrill Davison has seen an increase in phone calls from new flock owners looking for general management resources for their birds. Here, she offers health and safety advice for keeping flocks healthy.

From Penn Vet

What does the COVID-19 summer surge mean for your cats and dogs?

What does the COVID-19 summer surge mean for your cats and dogs?

Shelley Rankin of the School of Veterinary Medicine spoke about pets and COVID-19 transmission. “If you are not taking precautions … you are putting both yourself and your animal at risk,” she said. “If you are a responsible pet owner, then it is probably safe to say that your animal’s risk [of infection] is lower than yours.”