| Issue 3, July 2009 | ||||
| In this issue... | Cancer Neuroscience |
Biochemistry Immunology |
Developmental Biology Cardiology |
Genetics |
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Cancer @ Penn Medicine |
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Master Molecular Switch May Prevent the Spread of Cancer Cells |
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A master switch might prevent cancer cells from metastasizing from a primary tumor to other organs.
The research of Russ P. Carstens, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Claude Warzecha, a graduate student in the Carstens lab, is featured. |
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Breast Cancer Gene’s Role in DNA RepairNew genes have been identified that are associated with the BRCA1 protein and its involvement in DNA repair. The article discusses the research of Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology. |
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Low-fat Diet May Help Avoid Liver CancerA low-fat diet helps genetically predisposed animals avoid liver cancer. The research of John Lambris, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is described. |
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Neuroscience @ Penn Medicine |
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Living Jumper Cables |
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Engineered transplantable living nerve tissue encourages and guides regeneration in an animal model.
Articles feature the work of Douglas H. Smith, MD, Director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair and D. Kacy Cullen, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Smith lab. |
A Biological Basis for the 8-Hour Workday? |
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Some genes are switched on once every 12 or 8 hours, indicating that cycles shorter than 24 hours are biologically encoded. Research by John Hogenesch, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, is featured. |
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Biochemistry @ Penn Medicine |
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Creating New Protein from ScratchA newly created protein can transport oxygen and could one day be used to make artificial blood.
The work of P. Leslie Dutton, PhD, Eldridge Reeves Johnson Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Christopher C. Moser, PhD, Associate Director of the Johnson Foundation is featured. |
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Immunology @ Penn Medicine |
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New Way to Boost Immune Memory |
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A common anti-diabetic drug might enhance the effectiveness of preventive vaccines.
The findings of Yongwon Choi, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and postdoctoral fellow Erika Pearce, PhD, are featured. |
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Developmental Biology @ Penn Medicine |
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Gene in Mouse Embryo Gut Implicated in Congenital Defects |
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Genetically engineered mice lacking Cdx2 protein point to a potential genetic cause of a rare human congenital defect. The research of Klaus H. Kaestner, PhD, Professor of Genetics, is featured. |
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Cardiology @ Penn Medicine |
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New Target for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure |
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Mice that lack the receptor for one type of prostaglandin have lower blood pressure and less atherosclerosis than their non-mutant brethren. The work of Garret A. FitzGerald, MD, Director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, is featured. |
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Genetics @ Penn Medicine |
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Study Unlocks Genetic Diversity in Africa |
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The largest-ever study of African genetic data reveals a library of new genetic, linguistic, and cultural information on the continent.
Articles feature the research of Sarah Tishkoff, PhD, the David and Lyn Silfen University Associate Professor. |
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Genetic Markers for Autism |
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Two new studies highlight the complex genetic roots of autism spectrum disorders.
The research of Gerard Schellenberg, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is featured. |
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| Benchmarks is a periodic e-newsletter highlighting basic science research at PENN Medicine that has been featured in the news. We value your feedback as we strive to improve these communications.
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About the header graphic: Image of the human retina, provided by the Penn Medicine Path BioResource Biomedical Imaging Facility. |
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