The Wistar Institute

Since joining The Wistar Institute as the first Caspar Wistar Fellow, assistant professor Dr. Rahul Shinde has pursued new approaches to pancreatic cancer through the gut microbiome, where signals from certain microbes can work to cancer’s advantage. By identifying and working to stop crosstalk between gut microbiota and opportunistic tumors, Dr. Shinde aims to develop new therapies that can make progress against one of the most notorious cancers. “We are beginning to find patterns within the noise,” he says. “I’m confident that, working together, we can assemble the pieces of the cancer puzzle.” Our story: https://bit.ly/490dl3q #worldpancreaticcancerday #pancreaticcancerday #microbiome #research

Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women & notorious for the difficulties it presents for both detection & treatment. Now, The Wistar Institute Zhang lab has tested, in preclinical models, a new approach for this stubborn cancer that builds on research from 100 years ago. Their Journal of Experimental Medicine paper describes a simultaneous treatment of ovarian cancer with beta-glucan and interferon gamma significantly reduces tumor burden by recruiting the cytokine interleukin 27 (IL27). “It is our lab’s first paper and one of the first times researchers have been able to indirectly target ovarian cancer cells in peritoneal fluid by inducing an immune reaction,” said lead author Dr. Nan Zhang. “We look forward to taking this research further — particularly our findings on the role of IL27 — in hopes that we can continue to identify other strategies to improve this new anti-ovarian-cancer approach.” Read our story on their paper, "Myeloid activation clears ascites and reveals IL27-dependent regression of metastatic ovarian cancer": https://bit.ly/3Z3xLnJ #ovariancancer #cancer #research

The Wistar Institute’s Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center received a $100,000 eXperience grant from NIIMBL to support an immersive weeklong training program at the Institute. The NIIMBL eXperience @ Wistar is designed to foster diversity within the biopharmaceutical industry and introduce first- and second-year college students to new career possibilities. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Z5isvV #NIIMBLeXperience2025 #NIIMBLeXperienceWistar

Watch Wistar Science in Seconds, where researchers share their everyday work perspectives on foundational biomedical research. Here is Zhang lab postdoc Dr. Brennah Murphy on why she chose to dedicate herself to cancer research.

On December 2nd at 5 pm, we recognize the progress made in the fight against HIV and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Red Ribbon Awards. Join Penn CFAR and BEAT-HIV at the Penn Newman Center as we recognize our 2024 awardees, including Dr. Ted Kreider of BEAT-HIV and research partner & provider Dr. Karam Mounzer.

For years, people in African countries like Cameroon have relied on plant-based medicinal treatments to manage diseases like diabetes and cancer — even HIV. Now, Wistar researchers have teamed up with scientists at The University of Buea in Cameroon to identify how compounds from an African medicinal plant called Croton oligandrus Pierre & Hutch could be further developed as part of a “kick and kill” HIV cure strategy, which seeks to reverse latent HIV so that the virus can be killed. The collaborative paper, published in Journal of Experimental Pharmacology, features work from participants in Wistar’s Biomedical Technician Training program, who participated in the research under the direction of Wistar’s corresponding author, Dr. Ian Tietjen, assistant professor and Education Director of Global Studies & Partnerships at The Wistar Institute’s Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center. Read our story here:https://bit.ly/3OgC0Y8 #HIV #HIVcure #ethnomedicine #collaboration

The Wistar Institute welcomed three members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature: House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris, and Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, Representative Morgan Cephas. During their tour of the Institute, they shared their support for Wistar’s foundational biomedical research and life science workforce development programs. The representatives also met with Wistar scientists & trainees to learn more about Wistar's biomedical research mission and the opportunities that research provides for Pennsylvanians. Thank you, PA Representatives, for visiting The Wistar Institute. Wistar is grateful for your dedication to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for your continued support of our mission to advance human health through foundational biomedical research.

Find out more about The Wistar Institute’s award-winning Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Pre-apprenticeship Program at an information session during National Apprenticeship Week. Learn how this hands-on program can help you enter the life science industry by attending our online learning session on Thursday November 1 from 1 to 2 p.m. Wistar’s BTT Program is a register pre-apprenticeship that provides the skills necessary to join the life science industry as a lab technician or research assistant. Join the session here: https://bit.ly/3AzHryc

Interested in learning to be an Aseptic Manufacturing Technician and supporting biomedical manufacturers creating cell therapies? The Wistar Institute’s award-winning Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program has begun another recruitment effort for Philadelphia adults looking to participate in our region’s thriving life science economy. This paid, hands-on training program provides the skills necessary to enter careers with Iovance Biotherapeutics. Deadline to apply is November 22, so don’t delay! Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/enDY2NSB

The 3rd annual Wistar Trainee Symposium is just around the corner, so make sure you're signed up for Philadelphia's premier trainee conference. Scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025, this day-long event is a great opportunity for postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees to gain experience speaking at a conference-style event, network with researchers, and discuss ways to further their research and their careers. ??Talk abstracts due: December 16, 2024 ??Poster abstracts due: January 10, 2025 ??Attendee registration deadline: February 21, 2025 ??Inquiries and submissions: [email protected] Sign up for free today: https://bit.ly/3O7lXfa