The Wistar Institute

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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.

10/22/2026

The Wistar Institute was proud to participate in the Philadelphia Business Journal's State of Biotech Industry event earlier today. This annual discussion brings together the region's leading experts to share the latest developments in the Philadelphia region's life sciences industry and discuss what the future holds.

Dr. David Weiner, Wistar executive vice president and director of the Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, joined moderator John George, a PBJ reporter, and biotech leaders Gwendolyn Binder, Jeff Marrazzo, and Bill Sibold to discuss how the life sciences ecosystem fuels innovation, creates jobs, attracts investment, and drives long-term economic growth across Greater Philadelphia. The conversation highlighted the importance of continued collaboration, sector-wide alignment, and a stable environment that enables scientific discovery and success for years to come.

Many thanks to John George for moderating the session and to the other participants for the stimulating discussion!

10/21/2026

For early-career researchers, communicating science clearly can be just as important as conducting it, helping their ideas resonate with employers, colleagues, and the public.

Wistar trainees recently joined leadership coach and communications professional Ana Welsh for a workshop on communicating with clarity, confidence, and impact, ensuring that they can showcase their skills and accomplishments effectively.

Thank you, Ana, for equipping our trainees with practical tools to share their science—and their successes—with confidence!

10/20/2026

Join us at The Wistar Institute for the latest Philadelphia Drug Discovery Forum on November 11 from 4–6 p.m.!

Discover exciting advances in drug development with Dr. John Higgins of the University of Pennsylvania, who will discuss oral peptide delivery, and Dr. Christian Schafmeister of ThirdLaw Molecular, who will explore the creation of new drug modalities.

This free event is a great opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders, connect with fellow translational research professionals, and spark new ideas.

Save your spot and register today: https://bit.ly/4hQgasj

10/19/2026

October is Biosafety Month! 👻🧪

Wistar’s Environmental Health & Safety Department is helping researchers stay safe by reinforcing essential precautions when working with hazardous materials at the Institute.

In Part 1 of this series, we walk you through the practices of preventing cross contamination including: PPE, handling electronic devices, and the One Glove rule.

Thank you to Research Assistant, Cole Christopher, for being our demonstrator in this series.

What precautions do you take in the lab? Share them in the comments below.

10/16/2026

What does a future scientist look like? Meet Jenny Chen, a Philadelphia student gaining hands-on research experience at The Wistar Institute through a year-long extended lab experience.

Jenny first joined us through our Summer High School Program in Biomedical Research and now spends time each week in the lab of Qingshen Li at Wistar's HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center.

With guidance from her Central High School science teacher, Robert Herbstritt, and postdoctoral mentor Mia Zhao, Jenny is gaining hands-on experience in biomedical research and building skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

We're excited to follow Jenny's journey and see where her passion for science takes her next.

Learn more about Wistar's high school programs: https://bit.ly/456Ccky

10/15/2026

Philadelphia is at the forefront of mitochondrial research, and this November, leading scientists from around the world will gather here for the 2026 Translational Research in Mitochondria/Metabolism, Aging and Disease Conference (TRiMAD).

The two-day meeting will feature experts from across the mitochondrial research spectrum, from fundamental mitochondrial biology to cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disease, aging, metabolism and primary mitochondrial disease, including Wistar’s Dr. Dario Altieri.

Learn why Philadelphia has emerged as a global hub for mitochondrial research and hear from the conference organizers: https://bit.ly/4jtsyS5

2026

10/14/2026

A big thank you to The McLean Contributionship for investing in the future of the life sciences workforce through their generous support of Wistar's education and training initiatives. Their grant will help equip our training laboratories with essential tools that give participants hands-on experience and the skills needed to pursue high-demand careers in biomedical research.

Learn more about the Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center. https://bit.ly/44Q3U5d

10/12/2026

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize everyone impacted by the disease and the urgent need for research that can lead to better outcomes.

At The Wistar Institute, researchers are uncovering what drives breast cancer and using those insights to advance new approaches to detection, treatment, and prevention. Their work is helping move promising discoveries closer to the people who need them most.

Explore more about Wistar’s NCI-designated Cancer Center: https://bit.ly/4kjqJF0

10/09/2026

Did you know that every human cell carries an archive of ancient infections?

Recently, Wistar’s Assistant Professor Noam Auslander and colleagues were featured in ScienMag for their work on ERVmancer, a new software framework published in the Genome Biology Journal.

ERVmancer helps researchers study human endogenous retroviruses, or HERVs, by using evolutionary biology to organize and interpret their activity. This software gives researchers a clearer view of how these ancient viral sequences evolved and how they may influence immune responses and contribute to diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis to cancer.

To learn more about how ERVmancer is helping researchers explore human genetic evolution, read the ScienMag article:

https://bit.ly/4yFQCpv

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10/08/2026

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer in adults—and modern immunotherapies have largely failed against it. A new study from Wistar’s Veglia Lab, published in Neuro-Oncology, points to a promising way forward. Dr. Filippo Veglia and his team identified a two-pronged strategy designed to dismantle the tumor’s defenses and unleash the immune system to fight back.

Glioblastoma tumors defend themselves in two ways. First, low oxygen inside the tumor reprograms immune cells called myeloid cells, causing them to suppress the cancer-fighting T cells that would otherwise attack the tumor. Second, the few functional T cells that enter the tumor become exhausted and lose their ability to fight. The researchers addressed both barriers by pairing a low dose of axitinib—an existing medication that reduces oxygen starvation and limits the myeloid cells’ ability to suppress T cells—with a targeted immunotherapy that strengthens T cells before they burn out.

In preclinical models, the combination significantly extended survival and created lasting immune memory that helped prevent the cancer from returning. The researchers are now working toward testing the approach in clinical trials and exploring its potential against other hard-to-treat solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dV5WpO

Address

3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
19104

Telephone

+12158983700

Website

http://www.wistar.org/

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