The Wistar Institute

The Wistar Institute Founded in 1892, The Wistar Institute is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute wit

Founded as the first institution of its kind devoted to medical research and training in the United States, The Wistar Institute has evolved from its beginnings as an anatomical teaching museum to its present-day status as an international leader in basic biomedical research.

Big ideas. Breakthrough discoveries. Bold science.Stay in the loop with Wistar News and be the first to hear about the l...
06/03/2026

Big ideas. Breakthrough discoveries. Bold science.

Stay in the loop with Wistar News and be the first to hear about the latest research advances, inspiring stories, and the people driving innovation at Wistar. From groundbreaking discoveries to the momentum building across the broader life sciences community, Wistar News brings you closer to the science shaping the future.

Don’t miss out—sign up today: https://bit.ly/42LOpLr

Cancer affects us all.Thanks to decades of research, more than 18 million cancer survivors are alive today in the U.S., ...
06/02/2026

Cancer affects us all.

Thanks to decades of research, more than 18 million cancer survivors are alive today in the U.S., and cancer mortality rates have dropped steadily for more than 30 years. Yet for many cancers, effective treatments remain out of reach. That’s why continuing to support basic and translational cancer research is so important.

At The Wistar Institute, the nation’s first NCI-designated Cancer Center for basic research, we know that discovery is the first step toward new tools and therapies to fight cancer

Our scientists are uncovering the fundamental mechanisms of cancer—how it grows, spreads, and resists treatment—to lay the groundwork for the next generation of targeted treatments and immunotherapies

Every breakthrough starts in the lab. At Wistar, we are committed to being part of the fight, and ultimately winning the war against cancer. Learn how to support our efforts here: https://bit.ly/3IrAa77

06/01/2026

What tells your cells what to build and when? RNA.

In this week’s Between Two Microscopes, Drs. Bin Tian and Jozef Madzo explore this essential molecule, and discuss how new technologies are giving researchers an unprecedented, unbiased view of the RNA inside our cells. From the lab bench to computational discovery, Wistar is propelling the future of RNA research.

How do we create more pathways into the life sciences for people across the Philadelphia region?Join Wistar’s Education ...
05/29/2026

How do we create more pathways into the life sciences for people across the Philadelphia region?

Join Wistar’s Education Program Director, Dr. Jason Diaz, on June 2 for Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s Philly Underdog Series, where he’ll join a panel discussion on education, access, and opportunity in the life sciences.

This important conversation will explore how we can expand access and help build a more inclusive future for the next generation of talent.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4dDsziP

What does a future in science look like?Students from Kensington Health Sciences Academy got a firsthand glimpse during ...
05/28/2026

What does a future in science look like?

Students from Kensington Health Sciences Academy got a firsthand glimpse during two recent visits to The Wistar Institute. They explored our history, connected with researchers, and stepped inside working labs to see discovery in action.

Experiences like these—alongside our numerous education and training programs—help ignite curiosity and show students what’s possible in the life sciences. The next generation of researchers starts here!

A new study from The Wistar Institute, published in Nature, may change how we think about—and treat—chemotherapy-resista...
05/27/2026

A new study from The Wistar Institute, published in Nature, may change how we think about—and treat—chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.

Many ovarian cancers can repair their own DNA, allowing them to survive platinum-based chemotherapy. Dr. Katherine Aird and collaborators at Temple University and other institutions found that treatment-resistant tumors rely on a molecule called αKG to fuel DNA repair. Using a CRISPR-based screen, they identified the enzyme that effectively helps cancer cells evade chemotherapy.

When researchers blocked this pathway, cancer cells became significantly more sensitive to treatment. In preclinical models, combining the drug mildronate with standard chemotherapy significantly reduced tumor burden—while neither worked alone.

The findings also point to a potential biomarker that could help identify patients most likely to benefit from this approach. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RyH4vR

05/26/2026

Wistar’s Life Science Innovation course challenges students to build a start-up business plan around a Wistar technology, blending scientific discovery with the entrepreneurial skills needed to bring an idea to life.

In this week’s episode of Between Two Microscopes, Dr. Kristy Shuda McGuire and Dr. David Zuzga explore how discomfort can be a powerful part of the learning process.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the May Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum!We’re especially grateful to our speak...
05/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the May Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum!

We’re especially grateful to our speakers, Allen Reitz, Ph.D. (Fox Chase Therapeutic Discovery, Inc.) and Gregory Bowman, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), for sharing their insights and expertise.

We're excited to host this onging series to bring together leaders across academia and industry to exchange ideas, spark collaboration, and explore the latest advances in drug discovery!

Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming PDDF events at The Wistar Institute:

- September 9, 2026
- November 11, 2026

We look forward to seeing you there!

Last night, Wistar leadership including VP of Development Michael Crisculo, EVP and director of the HIV Cure and Viral D...
05/21/2026

Last night, Wistar leadership including VP of Development Michael Crisculo, EVP and director of the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center Dr. Luis Montaner, and Wistar VP of Operations Peter Scarpati joined UCD president & CEO Sarah Steltz at the State of University City annual event to celebrate the collaborations and momentum shaping one of Philly’s most dynamic communities!

Congratulations to Wistar’s Dr. Ebony Gary on receiving a prestigious Mathilde Krim Fellowship in Biomedical Research fr...
05/21/2026

Congratulations to Wistar’s Dr. Ebony Gary on receiving a prestigious Mathilde Krim Fellowship in Biomedical Research from amfAR! The grant provides early career scientists with $180,000 over two years to pursue groundbreaking HIV/AIDS research.

Dr. Gary’s project will study an enzyme known as Adenosine Deaminase-1 (ADA-1) that has the potential to boost immune response when delivered in conjunction with an HIV vaccine.

Thanks to amfAR for supporting Wistar science!

Read more about Ebony and her work with ADA-1: https://bit.ly/4ucYHzD

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