Raymond B. Penn, PhD

Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director, Pulmonary Research
Robley Dunglison Professor in Pulmonary Research

Raymond B. Penn

Contact

1020 Locust Street
Suite 543C
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email Raymond B. Penn

215-955-9982
215-503-5731 fax

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Raymond B. Penn, PhD

Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director, Pulmonary Research
Robley Dunglison Professor in Pulmonary Research

Research & Clinical Interests

  • Airway biology

  • GPCR biology

  • Asthma pharmacology

  • Renal transporter biology

  • Cancer biology

  • Asthma, COPD

  • Obstructive and fibrotic lung diseases

  • Chronic metabolic acidosis

The major focus of my research is to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate important functions in airway cells. GPCR signaling regulates contractile function, synthesis and release of autocrine factors, and cell growth/survival in various airway cells, including airway smooth muscle (ASM), airway epithelium, lung fibroblasts, and T lymphocytes. Aberrant GPCR signaling or exaggerated presentation of GPCR stimuli can promote ASM hypercontractility, airway remodeling, and ASM hyperplasia/hypertrophy, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD. Moreover, GPCRs appear to mediate important mitogenic and survival signaling pathways in cells comprising the tumor microenvironment- including epithelia, fibroblasts, stem cells, and inflammatory cells- rendering them potentially important therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer. Finally, many GPCR genes possess mutations that alter their expression or function; we are particularly interested in characterizing such altered function and its contribution to disease state or disease therapy.

Education

PhD Physiology, Temple University College of Medicine 1988
MS Ed Education, University of Pennsylvania 1980
BA History, University of Pennsylvania 1980

Most Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications

University Appointments

  • Professor of Medicine
  • Robley Dunglison Professor of Pulmonary Research
  • Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine
  • Director, Center for Translational Medicine
  • Director of Pulmonary Research, Jefferson - Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center
  • Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine

Professional Societies

  • American Thoracic Society