| Issue 4, November 2009 | ||||
| In this issue... | Genetics Diabetes |
Cardiology Parasitology |
Orthopaedics Neuroscience |
Cancer |
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Genetics @ Penn Medicine |
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Inherited and New Genetic Mutations Act Together in Autism |
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A study found 27 different genetic regions with missing or extra copies of DNA segments in the genes of children with autism.
The research of Maja Bucan, PhD, professor of Genetics and Hakon Hakonarson, MD, PhD, associate professor of Pediatrics, is featured. Source: PloS Genetics |
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Diabetes @ Penn Medicine |
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New Role for Pancreas Molecule |
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A pancreas protein plays a previously unrecognized regulatory role in the development of cells in the immature endocrine system. The research of Doris Stoffers, MD, PhD, associate professor of Medicine and member of the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, is featured. Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation |
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Cardiology @ Penn Medicine |
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Blood Clot MechanicsProtein unfolding allows fibrin in blood clots to maintain its remarkable and contradictory characteristics. The research of John Weisel, PhD, professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, is highlighted. Source: Science |
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New Source For Afib DiscoveredA novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation might lead to more precise treatments. The research of Jonathan Epstein, MD, chair of the Cell and Developmental Biology Department and Vickas Patel, MD, PhD, professor of Medicine, is featured. |
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Parasitology @ Penn Medicine |
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Locking Parasites in Host Cell to Fight Malaria |
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Parasites hijack host-cell proteins to ensure their survival and proliferation, suggesting new ways to control the diseases they cause. The research of Doron Greenbaum, PhD, assistant professor of Pharmacology, is featured. Source: Science |
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Orthopaedics @ Penn Medicine |
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Bone from Blood |
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Circulating cells form bone outside the normal skeleton, study finds. The research of Robert J. Pignolo, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine and Frederick S. Kaplan, MD, Isaac & Rose Nassau Professor of Orthopedic Molecular Medicine, is featured. Source: Stem Cells |
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Neuroscience @ Penn Medicine |
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The Science of Slumber |
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Several Penn Medicine sleep researchers are featured in the October 24 special issue of Science News that covers the brain and sleep. The issue highlights the work of Michael Perlis, PhD, director, Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program; Allan Pack, MD, PhD, director, Center for Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology, Amita Sehgal, PhD, professor of Neuroscience; Susan Harbison, PhD, research associate in Neuroscience; Marcos Frank, PhD, assistant professor of Neuroscience, and David Dinges, PhD, chief, Division of Sleep and Chronobiology. |
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Cancer @ Penn Medicine |
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Philadelphia Chromosome Honored |
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The lifelong work of a Penn cancer researcher was recently recognized with the honor of the Franklin Institute medal in life science for the discovery of a genetic cause of leukemia and research that led to successful therapy.
The award honored the work of Peter Nowell, MD, the Gaylord P. and Mary Louise Harnwell Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Science. |
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Heat Shock Protein Inhibitor Potential Anticancer Drug |
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The protein inhibitor PES can stop tumor formation and significantly extend survival of mice. Donna George, PhD, associate professor of Genetics, and Julie Leu, PhD, assistant professor of Genetics are featured. Source: Molecular Cell |
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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.
Benchmarks is published and distributed by the Penn Medicine Department of Communications:
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Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a coronary artery thrombus taken from a patient who had a heart attack. Fibrin fibers are brown; platelet aggregates are gray; red blood cells in red; leukocytes are depicted in green. Courtesy of John Weisel. |
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