Biology is fundamental to our changing world. The 21st century challenge for our students, our scholars, and the greater society is to understand our place in this changing world and to create fundamental knowledge for informed policies, economies, and social structure.
Upcoming Events
The epic evolutionary journey of an iconic urban animal, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus): from the grasslands of Asia to the streets of New York City
Dr. Jason Munshi-South, Drexel University
Abstract: A unique assemblage of native and nonnative rodents inhabit cities but differ in their occupancy of "green" and "gray" infrastructure. They also vary in their ability to disperse through heterogeneous…
Virus-like intercellular communication in the nervous system
Dr. Jason D. Shepherd, University of Utah
Abstract: The immediate early gene Arc is critical for long-term associative memory consolidation in mammals. We discovered that the Arc gene evolved from an ancient retroviral element and has retained viral-…
Deciphering Neural Circuits for Vocal Communication: Insights from the Singing Mice.
Dr. Arkarup Banerjee, Cold Spring Harbor
Abstract: My long-standing interest is to understand how circuits of interacting neurons give rise to natural, adaptive behaviors. Using vocal communication behavior across rodent species, my lab at CSHL pursues two…
News
1.5 Minute Climate Lectures
Oct. 16, 2024
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Penn Science Cafe - Plants on a Warming Planet
Sep. 25, 2024
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Memories and Manifestos
Aug. 8, 2024
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Cindy Nguyen, a Model of Excellence
Cindy Nguyen, an information technology support specialist in SAS, is the go-to person for institutional knowledge and serves as a pivotal member of the knowledge management team in SAS Computing. Cindy has solidified many new standard processes and stands out as an excellent example of genuine dedication to the community. She embodies the goal of helping researchers get their work done.
Professor David Roos awarded the 2025 Rudolf-Leuckart Medal
The University of Pennsylvania and the School of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce that the German Society for Parasitology has awarded Professor David Roos the 2025 Rudolf-Leuckart Medal. The Rudolf-Leuckart Medal is their society's highest honor, awarded to internationally renowned researchers who have distinguished themselves through significant work in parasitology.
From one gene switch, many possible outcomes
A team of researchers led by Aman Husbands of the School of Arts & Sciences has uncovered surprising ways transcription factors—the genetic switches for genes—regulate plant development, revealing how subtle changes in a lipid-binding region can dramatically alter gene regulation.
Climate Solutions for the Living World
This one-day symposium will showcase the diverse, interdisciplinary research at the University of Pennsylvania that focuses on monitoring, understanding, and effectively addressing climate change.
Finding a new behavioral adaptation in fruit flies
From left: Dawn Chen, Yun Ding, and Minaho Li. Yun Ding (center) of the School of Arts & Sciences led research on courtship rituals of a close cousin of the common fruit fly and discovered a novel female adaptation that promotes prolonged courtship in males.