Raymond B. Penn, PhD

Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director of Pulmonary Research, Jane & Leonard Korman Lung Center
Robley Dunglison Professor of Pulmonary Research
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine

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Contact

1020 Locust Street
Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 543
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email Raymond Penn

215-955-9982
215-503-5731 fax

Raymond B. Penn, PhD

Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director of Pulmonary Research, Jane & Leonard Korman Lung Center
Robley Dunglison Professor of Pulmonary Research
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine

Education

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

Publications

Professional Societies

American Thoracic Society

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..