While research within Temple Health is far ranging, there are several areas of focus:
Targeted Therapies in the Fight Against Heart Disease
The fight against heart disease is being waged across a number of Temple research centers. Here, Temple scientists focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of heart disease. Their insights into the biology of the heart are opening doors for more targeted treatments—from novel medications to therapies with genes, RNA interference, stem cells and medical devices.
Slowing the Path of Lung Disease
Temple pulmonary researchers specialize in deciphering the inflammatory and immune aspects of chronic and acute lung diseases. Their goal is to develop new therapeutics and interventions to slow or reverse diseases such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. In addition, the Temple Lung Center offers dozens of clinical trials to patients each year.
Identifying Breakthrough Cancer Treatments
Temple cancer researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine aim to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of cancer and to translate their findings into targeted anti-cancer therapies. Fox Chase is among a select group of hospitals designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Stopping the Pathways of Devastating Neuro-Based Disease
Faculty members from over a dozen basic and clinical science departments at Temple participate in neuroscience research focused on neurodegeneration, neuroinfection, neuroinflammation and neurooncology. In these areas, Temple researchers seek to understand the molecular events that lead to devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, AIDS dementia, cerebral palsy and brain tumors.
Dampening the Effects of Addiction
Researchers across Temple Health are actively investigating how drugs of abuse work, new therapies to dampen their devastating effects, and the mechanisms of addiction. Much of this work is centered in Temple’s Center for Substance Abuse Research, which has investigated opioids, alcohol, cannabinoids, nicotine and psychostimulants over its 20-year history.
Translating today’s mounting scientific discoveries into therapies that improve human health is the mission of researchers within Temple Health.