Baruch S. Blumberg Institute

08/24/2026

🔬 Qiong Zhao, PhD, in collaboration with Ju-Tao Guo, MD, president and chief scientific officer, and Minghong Zhong, PhD, is developing a novel gene therapy for HBV using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The approach uses a new type of guide RNA called LgRNA, which is made by joining two or three short RNA pieces together using a unique chemical method.

Learn more in our annual report here:https://blumberginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Annual-Report-2025.pdf

08/22/2026

The Blumberg Institute focuses on understanding the pathobiology of hepatitis B virus and related , developing diagnostics for early detection of liver disease and the discovery of therapeutics, antivirals and immune modulators aimed at curing HBV and other severe viral diseases.

Learn more here - https://blumberginstitute.org/

08/20/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Ju-Tao Guo, president of the Blumberg Institute, for being recognized among the Journal of Virology’s Top Peer Reviewers in 2025!

This recognition highlights the exceptional service of reviewers who completed 10 or more reviews during the year while providing timely, rigorous and constructive feedback to advance research. 👏

Read the full recognition in Journal of Virology: https://ow.ly/rtAu50ZBYBW

08/18/2026

🔬 The Sayeed Lab is developing a highly specialized blood test, also known as a liquid biopsy, to detect liver cancer at its earliest stages. The test uses circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA), tiny fragments of genetic material released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. The lab analyzes ctRNA to identify specific genetic mutations and abnormal levels of RNA that are associated with cancer.

Learn more about Dr. Sayeed’s lab projects in our 2025 annual report here:https://blumberginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Annual-Report-2025.pdf

08/14/2026

👏 We’re thrilled to see Tim and Joan Block, and Jan and Paul Witte recognized in PhillyBurbs’ feature on Bucks County leaders. Thank you for your outstanding contributions and lasting impact on our community. A well-deserved honor! 🎉

Read more about the feature here: https://lnkd.in/e9T_RJ2t

08/13/2026

In a newly published study, researchers examined how integrated hepatitis B virus DNA differs between HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Read the publication here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42031533/

08/11/2026

🔬 Publication by Ying-Hsiu Su, PhD, professor at the Blumberg Institute explores:

“Detection and characterization of Hepatitis B virus double-stranded linear DNA-derived covalently closed circular DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients.”

Learn more here 🔗 : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734230/

dsl-cccDNA is more abundant and diverse among the HBeAg(+) CHB subjects. The existence of replication-defective dsl-cccDNA may facilitate immune evasion and HBV integration, and complicate HBV pathogenesis.

08/09/2026

Advancing our understanding of chronic B takes continued innovation and collaboration. Researchers at the Blumberg Institute have published new findings that advance our understanding of how chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be targeted by disrupting the virus's ability to persist and replicate within infected liver cells.

Read the publication here 📰 : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42413584/

The small envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (S-HBs) is the principal component of the spherical and filamentous noninfectious subviral particles (SVPs) produced by infected hepatocytes, likely functioning as immune tolerizing agents critical to the establishment and maintenance of chronic infect...

08/08/2026

Hepion Pharmaceuticals has in-licensed a novel, selective ctRNA biomarker assay from Cirna Diagnostics, spinout company of the Blumberg Institute, in development for the early diagnosis and surveillance of liver cancer in high-risk patients.

More here -

Next-generation, non-invasive diagnostic platform has potential applications in solid tumor types beyond liver cancer Licensing deal reflects Hepion’s...

08/07/2026

Our research team, led by Liudi Tang, PhD, is conducting unbiased genome-wide screens to identify key interactions between hepatitis B and liver cells.

This ongoing study has the potential to strengthen our understanding of HBV virology, identify host-encoded antiviral targets, and ultimately advance the efforts toward a functional cure for chronic HBV infections. 🧪📚

Learn more in our 2025 annual report here:https://blumberginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Annual-Report-2025.pdf