The Genetics Podcast
Exploring all things genetics. Dr Patrick Short, University of Cambridge alumnus and CEO of Sano Genetics, analyses the science, interviews the experts, and discusses the latest findings and breakthroughs in genetic research. To find out more about Sano Genetics and its mission to accelerate the future of precision medicine visit: www.sanogenetics.com
Thu, April 17, 2025
EP 183: Rewriting the Rules for Ultra-Rare Diseases with Kent Rogers of EveryONE Medicines
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Kent Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at EveryONE Medicines. They discuss Kent’s journey across every side of the desk in the drug discovery space, EveryONE Medicines’ efforts to develop antisense oligonucleotides for ultra-rare diseases, and the need to adapt regulatory models for n-of-1 therapies. Show Notes: 00:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Kent and his experiences across every side of the pharma ‘desk’ 06:00 Challenges of commercialization for ultra-rare disease therapies and the advantage of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) 10:28 EveryONE Medicines’ approach to regulatory bodies 12:30 Regulatory feedback and expectations from EveryONE Medicines’ platform-based approach to n-of-1 therapies 15:47 Differences in regulatory requirements for rare disease across countries 19:53 Insights from being on different sides of the drug development industry 22:40 Differences in healthcare systems across countries that can facilitate or impede drug development 26:57 Rationale behind focusing on ASOs for treating rare diseases 28:03 Building EveryONE Medicines and Kent’s approach to leadership 33:20 Lessons from Kent’s career 37:17 Closing remarks Find out more EveryONE Medicines ( https://www.eomeds.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, April 10, 2025
EP 182: Demystifying genetic counseling with Matt Burgess
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Matt Burgess, genetic counselor, host of the Demystifying Genetics podcast, and Adjunct Professor at Bay Path University. They discuss the evolution of genetic counseling, ethical challenges in gene therapy, and Matt’s experiences with his podcast. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Matt 02:09 Matt’s run-ins with Olivia Newton John while working at Austin Hospital in Melbourne 04:34 Matt’s background and path to genetic counseling 06:58 The evolution of the field of genetic counseling over time and the role of counselors 12:47 Matt’s work on rare disease AP-4 hereditary spastic paraplegia (AP-4-HSP) and the ethical considerations of gene therapy 20:22 Balancing the needs and expectations of individuals and families in counseling 23:06 Rebranding negative connotations of the word “counseling” 26:58 Memorable episodes from Matt’s podcast Demystifying Genetics 34:31 Differences in genetic counseling and healthcare in the US versus Australia and the UK 40:00 Matt’s current work on writing a novel, starting a company called Rosalind Genetics, and being involved in genetic education 42:47 The potential and drawbacks of AI models in the context of genetic counseling and information 46:46 Closing remarks Find out more Demystifying Genetics ( https://demystifying-genetics.buzzsprout.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, April 03, 2025
EP 181: Transforming frustration into breakthroughs in gene therapy with Salvador Rico of Encoded Therapeutics
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Salvador Rico, Chief Medical Officer at Encoded Therapeutics. They discuss Salvador’s journey into drug development, his work on gene therapy for X-linked myotubular myopathy, and fundamental challenges and exciting advances in the genetics field. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Salvador and how he became involved in drug development 11:01 Frustrations and rewards of the genetics field 13:59 Salvador’s study on gene therapy for patients with X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) 19:46 Risk of liver issues in gene therapy trials and attempts to mitigate them 24:22 Encoded Therapeutics‘ approach to drug discovery and what motivated Salvador to join the team 27:22 Steps towards therapeutic targeting of gene regulatory elements 30:04 Advantages of different methods for drug delivery 32:31 DNA- versus RNA-based therapy 34:56 Insights from approaches in other fields, including psychiatry 36:35 Considerations for using natural history studies 40:32 Expectations and goals for Encoded Therapeutics’ current and upcoming studies 43:17 Closing remarks Find out more Encoded Therapeutics ( https://encoded.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, March 27, 2025
EP 180: From a consulting project to a biotech start-up with Leeland Ekstrom of Nashville Bio
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Leeland Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Nashville Bio. They discuss how Leeland went from being a consultant on a project for Vanderbilt University to a co-founder of a start-up and the unique aspects of NashBio’s clinical and genetic database. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Leeland and the origin story of Nashville Bio 05:13 Process of setting up NashBio’s genome resource with 250K individuals 11:52 How different pharmaceutical companies responded to NashBio’s database and its unique advantages compared to others 17:50 Key priorities for applications of the resource beyond target discovery 20:19 The process of selecting additional gaps that NashBio’s services can fill versus letting others fill them 25:02 Advantages at Vanderbilt Medical Center that facilitated the project and how it can be replicated at other centers 30:32 Immediate and long-term impacts of current NIH funding cuts on biotech and academia 36:43 NashBio’s current major focuses and future goals 39:20 Closing remarks Find out more NashBio ( https://nashbio.com/ ) Press release: Alliance for Genomic Discovery completes 250,000 whole genomes to accelerate drug discovery ( https://www.illumina.com/company/news-center/press-releases/press-release-details.html?newsid=b4b0c901-f8a2-4802-a4ef-b81167e24cfe ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, March 20, 2025
EP 179: Redefining rare disease realities with Sharon Terry of the Genetic Alliance
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Sharon Terry, President & CEO of Genetic Alliance. They discuss how Sharon established a layperson-led biobank, her long-term work on rare diseases and patient advocacy, and her program to bring genetic technology to patients in low- to middle-income countries. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Sharon and a discussion of the personal experience with rare disease that started her journey 03:47 Reasons why Sharon decided to establish the first layperson-led biobank 05:34 Challenges with setting up the biobank infrastructure 07:00 Balancing financial factors in a non-profit organization 09:30 Recent patterns and future insight into rare disease drug discovery framework and regulation 15:32 Barriers to widespread collaboration and cooperation in rare disease research, and why it should be approached from a public health perspective 18:12 Background and experiences from the iHope Genetic Health program in low- to middle-income countries 24:44 Sharon’s perspective on current challenges with the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act 28:49 Sharon’s lessons learned in her patient advocacy and policy work, and her hopes for future legislation 33:04 Sharon’s hopes for improved access to genetic testing and treatment for children in underserved communities 34:34 How Sharon learned about rare diseases and genetics as a “homeschooling mom without a degree” 37:54 Insights into how elements of spirituality can support advocacy work 40:18 Closing remarks Find out more Genetic Alliance ( https://geneticalliance.org/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, March 13, 2025
EP 178: Expanding the human proteome to facilitate drug discovery with John Lepore of ProFound Therapeutics
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Dr. John Lepore, physician-scientist and CEO of ProFound Therapeutics. They discuss ProFound Tx’s mission to expand the proteome to identify novel drug targets – which resulted in the ProFoundry atlas – and the ways in which John’s diverse experiences inform his approach as a leader. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to John 02:01 John’s background at GSK and his transition to drug discovery 05:45 Establishing ProFound Therapeutics to expand the proteome and identify novel drug targets 08:27 Genomic origins of newly-identified proteins and the process of finding them 09:49 Developing the ProFoundry atlas and integrating data across assays 15:27 Different approaches to inferring protein links and association to disease 17:13 Collaboration with Pfizer to find regulators in the context of obesity 18:04 Developing novel antibody-drug conjugates for cancer treatment 20:27 Clarifying causality in proteomic data 21:59 Approaching novel targets while considering industrial and business factors 25:19 John’s background as a cardiologist and how that impacts his current work 27:26 Tips for biotech companies looking to be noticed by pharma for collaborations 30:30 Considerations for investigating new and different therapeutic modalities and techniques 33:39 How John consistently reinforces the translational angle as a business leader 36:24 Closing remarks and future direction for ProFound Therapeutics Find out more ProFound Therapeutics ( https://www.profoundtx.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, March 06, 2025
EP 177: The vision of Our Future Health with Raghib Ali
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Raghib Ali, CEO, CMO, and Principal Investigator of Our Future Health UK. As a clinical epidemiologist with a passion for reducing health inequalities, Raghib offers fresh insights into the priorities, challenges, and transformative impact of the groundbreaking genomics initiative, Our Future Health. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 01:00 Welcome to Raghib and background on Our Future Health (OFH) 03:57 Diseases that are a priority for OFH or are likely to benefit from its impact 06:07 Challenges and opportunities for implementing change in the National Health Service (NHS), a partner of OFH, based on study findings 09:20 Factors that contributed to the rapid recruitment of participants to OFH 14:12 Efforts to ensure diversity of OFH participants and facilitate accessibility for all 16:35 Why OFH chose to use arrays for genomic profiling 18:57 Navigating the obstacles and opportunities in public and private partners 22:28 Strengths and weaknesses of the medical record system in the UK 25:54 Efforts to rapidly provide results from OFH and integrating other datasets and techniques in the future 28:43 Raghib’s unique educational and training journey 31:49 The importance of evaluating components beyond genetics for a full picture of health 33:28 Aims and findings of the first prospective cohort study in the UAE 35:26 The potential contribution of epigenetic inheritance to disease risk 37:43 How Raghib overcame adversity early in life 40:56 Closing remarks Find out more Our Future Health ( https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, February 27, 2025
EP 176: Hunting rare kidney disease mutations with Anthony Bleyer of Wake Forest and Stan Kmoch of Charles University
This week on The Genetics Podcast, we’re celebrating Rare Disease Day with a very special episode. Patrick is joined by clinical nephrologist Anthony Bleyer and geneticist Stan Kmoch to discuss how their decade-long international collaboration has uncovered genetic mutations in families with rare inherited kidney diseases – including Patrick’s. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:59 Welcome to Anthony and Stan 02:05 The origin story for Anthony and Stan’s long-distance collaboration 06:55 Stan’s background in metabolic disorders and sequencing techniques 11:09 Common genetic culprits and barriers to identifying mutations that cause kidney disease 14:01 Background and findings from Anthony and Stan’s ApoA4 study 23:54 Potential therapeutic avenues based on the ApoA4 study 26:49 Current and future focuses for characterizing diseases in families 30:42 Working with collaborators internationally to access large databases and registries 33:05 Innovative transplant methods, including genetically-modified pig kidneys 36:36 Closing remarks and a heartfelt thank you to researchers and families driving rare disease research Find out more Latest study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2023.11.021 Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, February 20, 2025
EP 175: Pioneering treatment for stop codon disease using tRNA with Michelle Werner of Alltrna
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Michelle Werner, CEO at Alltrna and CEO/Partner at Flagship Pioneering. They discuss Alltrna’s promising findings from its first preclinical study on using tRNA to rescue stop codon disease, the strategic use of basket trials, and more! Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 01:00 Welcome to Michelle 02:13 Overview of Alltrna’s aims and the advantages of using tRNA to tackle stop codon disease 5:27 Using basket trials for genetic diseases 08:03 Highlights from Alltrna’s first preclinical study using tRNA to restore protein production to clinically meaningful levels in methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and phenylketonuria (PKU) 14:02 Considerations in delivery techniques and Alltrna’s use of nanoparticles 19:22 Stability of tRNA and how engineered tRNAs are recognized in vivo 23:12 Strategic design of basket trials and diseases that are covered 26:16 Adaptive trial design in the rare genetic disease setting 28:15 Michelle’s experience with regulatory organizations on new approaches to trial design 32:14 Insights from spearheading Alltrna and Flagship Pioneering’s innovative approaches 37:26 Michelle’s lessons from working in big pharma versus a small biotech start-up 40:50 Closing remarks and a call for collaborators Find out more Alltrna ( https://www.alltrna.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, February 13, 2025
EP 174: Decentralized science and reducing the cost of gene therapies with Jocelynn Pearl of the TAM Center
On this week’s episode of The Genetics Podcast, we’re joined by Jocelynn Pearl, Director of Cancer Cell Therapy at the TAM Center, host of the Lady Scientist Podcast and Co-Founder of LabDAO. Patrick and Jocelynn discuss her move to Mexico to help accelerate the development of new cancer therapies, harnessing the power and potential of decentralized science, and overcoming sky-high gene therapy costs to increase accessibility for patients. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 01:00 Welcome to Jocelynn 02:03 Jocelynn’s past work at The Institute for Systems Biology 04:55 How Jocelynn approached her transition to biotech from the world of academia 10:14 Exploring decentralized science, including how it works and Jocelynn’s involvement to date 15:54 What a Decentralized Autonomous Organisation (DAO) is and how this type of organizational structure supports scientific development 22:45 The “fast grant” surge and other non-traditional funding methods 28:00 Hosting the Lady Scientist Podcast and some of Jocelynn’s favorite moments 32:43 Jocelynn’s move to Mexico to serve as Director of Cancer Cell Therapy at the TAM Center 36:12 The biggest differences between building out drug development programs in Mexico and the US 38:31 Regulatory differences between countries in the context of stem cell therapies 42:48 The advantages for cancer therapeutic development in Jocelynn’s current environment 46:20 Driving down the costs of gene therapies and the impact on accessibility 48:09 Closing remarks Find out more LabDAO: https://www.lab.bio/ Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj
Thu, February 06, 2025
EP 173: Tackling genetic cardiomyopathy from the bed to the bench with Eric Adler of Lexeo Therapeutics and UCSD
Summary: This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Eric Adler, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research at Lexeo Therapeutics and Professor of Medicine at University of California San Diego. Eric shares his experience with genetic cardiomyopathy and his work on gene therapy for Danon disease, drawing from both clinical and research perspectives. Additionally, he explores the evolution of the field and the broader challenges faced by cardiovascular patients. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast 01:00 Welcome to Eric and his efforts in cardiomyopathy at the bench and bedside 03:32 How modeling genetic diseases using pluripotent stem cells lead Eric to studying Danon disease 04:50 Pivoting from basic to translational research using adeno-associated viruses (AAV)-based gene therapy 07:58 Uncovering genetic cardiomyopathies that were misdiagnosed as idiopathic cardiomyopathy 09:55 Treatment, screening, and penetrance of Danon disease 12:30 Recent successes and remaining challenges in cardiovascular disease 19:47 Battling distrust in the medical profession 21:55 Preventative therapy using APOE2 for patients at risk of early Alzheimer’s 25:15 Motivations behind and advantages of Eric’s patient-centered approach to therapeutics 27:24 Balancing regulatory requirements for protocols versus patient needs 29:49 The importance of committed clinical partners for successful trial execution 36:08 Eric’s passion for cooking and how he won a cooking competition 39:02 Closing remarks and Lexeo Therapeutics’ aims for 2025 Find out more Lexeo Therapeutics ( https://www.lexeotx.com/ ) Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, January 30, 2025
EP 172: Racial health disparities in genetic testing and breast cancer treatment with Dr. Versha Pleasant of University of Michigan
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Versha Pleasant, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan and Director of the Cancer Genetics and Breast Health Clinic at Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. They discuss ongoing disparities in healthcare, in particular why black women in the US have a 40% higher chance of dying from breast cancer than white women, the impact of the US Educate Act on equality, diversity and inclusion education, and much more. 00:00:00 – Intro to The Genetics Podcast 00:01:52 – Welcome to Versha 00:03:22 – How black women have a 40% higher chance of mortality from breast cancer than white women, and the biggest drivers of this disparity 00:07:09 – Multifaceted approaches to addressing disparities 00:09:10 – Racial health duplicity and increasing access to genetic testing and mammography for black women 00:13:51 – The challenges of using precision medicine to stratify risk in black communities and historical harms in US medical research 00:14:29 – How to design for inclusive studies that effectively represent communities of colour 00:16:13 – Considering universal genetic testing and counseling for black women 00:21:24 – The logistics of making universal testing a reality, and the importance of community education and trust building 00:27:18 – What Versha is focused on next and the big topics she wants to tackle 00:33:24 – The role of community education and diversifying modes of communication for knowledge sharing 00:34:36 – Versha’s perspectives on the US Educate Act and the impact it could have on what doctors of the future are taught 00:40:52 – Versha’s advice to people who would like to pursue a similar career in medicine 00:43:28 – Where Patrick sees genetics evolving in the next ten years and his vision for the future of The Genetics Podcast 00:47:39 – Closing remarks Find out more Universal Genetic Counseling and Testing for Black Women: A Risk-Stratified Approach to Addressing Breast Cancer Disparities: https://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209(24)00338-0/fulltext Please consider rating and reviewing us on your chosen podcast listening platform! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bp2_wVNSzntTs_zuoizU8bX1dvao4jfj/view?usp=share_link
Thu, January 23, 2025
EP 171: The past, present, and future of long-read sequencing with Jonathon Hill of Wasatch Biolabs
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Jonathon Hill, associate professor at Brigham Young University and co-founder and VP of Wasatch Biolabs. Jonathan and Patrick discuss the power of long-read sequencing, how Wasatch Biolabs was created, and how Jonathon has fostered valuable collaborations between academic labs and Wasatch Biolabs.
Thu, January 16, 2025
EP 170: Pan-European collaboration and dementia research with Angela Bradshaw, from Alzheimer Europe
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Angela Bradshaw, Director for Research at Alzheimer Europe and honorary lecturer at the University of Glasgow. Patrick and Angela discuss how Alzheimer Europe partners in and support pan-European dementia research, the enormous heterogeneity of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the future of potential new gene therapies, and the critical role of advocacy organizations for patient communities.
Thu, January 09, 2025
EP 169: Common variants in rare neurological diseases with Hilary Martin of the Wellcome Sanger Institute
This week on The Genetics Podcast, we’re joined by Hilary Martin, Group Leader in Human Genetics at the world-renowned Wellcome Sanger Institute. Hilary and Patrick discuss her group’s work on neurodevelopmental conditions, the role of common genetic variants in rare disease, and how to untangle the impact of direct and indirect genetic influences on various traits. Find out more Nature paper: Examining the role of common variants in rare neurodevelopmental conditions https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08217-y Genes and Health Project https://www.genesandhealth.org
Thu, January 02, 2025
EP 168: A world-first in RNA medicines with Erik Ingelsson, Chief Scientific Officer at Wave Life Sciences
Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2025, Patrick is joined by Erik Ingelsson, Chief Scientific Officer at Wave Life Sciences. Erik is also the formerr Senior Vice President of Target Discovery at GlaxoSmithKline and a former Professor at Stanford and Uppsala universities. Patrick and Erik discuss Wave’s world-first discovery in RNA editing therapies for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), Erik’s far-reaching career across academia, big pharma and biotech, and how to be a present parent in the thick of a thriving career.
Thu, December 26, 2024
EP 167: Research Roundup with Dr. Veera: Wrapping up 2024 in four pioneering papers
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal, a discovery scientist at Regeneron with an interest in human genetics and drug target discovery in neuroscience and psychiatry. If you’re a regular listener, you may be familiar with Veera’s quarterly appearances on the show, where Patrick and he discuss the latest developments in genetics, drug discovery, and precision medicine. Grab yourself a cup of something warm and tune in as Veera and Patrick close out 2024 with a wrap up covering: Population genomics programs New Alzheimer’s research The impact of genetics on menopause onset Newborn genetic screening Tune in now, and don’t forget to check out Veera’s substack, GWAS Stories, and his Twitter, @doctorveera.
Thu, December 19, 2024
EP 166: Developing targeted therapies for ALS with Eric Green from Trace Neuroscience, Maze Therapeutics, and Stanford University
This week we’re joined by Eric Green, Founder and CEO of Trace Neuroscience, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Maze Therapeutics, and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Eric and Patrick discuss Eric’s transition from cardiology to the world of entrepreneurship, the role of highly focused biotechs in creating precision therapies, and the development of high-impact gene therapies for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Thu, December 12, 2024
EP 165: Harnessing CRISPR and RNA editing to transform healthcare with Dr. Ness Bermingham
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Ness Bermingham, Operating Partner at Khosla Ventures and Chair of the Board at Korro Bio. A scientist-turned-biotech entrepreneur, Ness is passionate about the power of science to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest challenges. Ness co-founded Intellia Therapeutics, a leader in CRISPR gene editing, and Korro Bio, an innovator in RNA editing, driving breakthroughs that translate cutting-edge science into real healthcare solutions. With over 20 years of experience in biotech and healthcare, he’s played a vital role in shaping startups into companies that develop life-changing medicines. Tune in as we dive into Ness’s journey and his insights on innovation in biotech!
Thu, December 05, 2024
EP 164: Groundbreaking advances in MMR-deficient rectal cancer, liquid biopsies, and precision oncology with Dr. Luis Diaz
Welcome back to The Genetics Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Dr. Luis Diaz, Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering and a White House Appointee to the National Cancer Advisory Board. Dr. Diaz’s career has been defined by his commitment to translating cutting-edge cancer genomics into clinical practice. In this episode, he and Patrick dive into his groundbreaking trial on mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient rectal cancer, along with his pioneering work on liquid biopsies, immunotherapies targeting tumors with microsatellite instability, and advancements in precision oncology. To learn more about Dr. Diaz and his work, visit his research page here: https://www.mskcc.org/research-areas/labs/luis-diaz.
Wed, November 27, 2024
EP 163: The intersection of loss and genetic insight with Susan Liebman of University of Nevada
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Susan Liebman, Research Professor at University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and author of a new family memoir rooted in genetics called The Dressmaker’s Mirror. Susan reflects on the deeply personal loss of her niece to an undiagnosed genetic condition, offers her insights on genetic screening for at-risk individuals and populations, and provides valuable advice for early career scientists.
Thu, November 21, 2024
EP 162: The genetics of isolated communities with Professor Jim Wilson of the University of Edinburgh
Summary: This week, Patrick is joined by Jim Wilson, Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Edinburgh. Jim discusses the genetics of isolated populations and the Vikings Genes project, which has led him to work with communities from more than 25 Scottish islands, and how new sequencing programs can dramatically improve health outcomes for these groups. He also touches on mapping Prince William’s mitochondrial DNA, lobbying Westminster to raise awareness of genetic screening, and his Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTA) winning work with the Irish Traveller community.
Thu, November 14, 2024
EP 161: How large language models can help build immunotherapies with Michelle Teng of Etcembly Ltd.
In this week’s episode, Patrick is joined by Michelle Teng, CEO and Co-Founder of Etcembly Ltd and Founding Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of SynaptixBio. Michelle explains how her team is training large language models (LLMs) to analyze immune system data and how the company’s Long Term Survivor Study is helping identify T-cell profiles associated with sustained cancer remission. She also speaks to her own experience of ultra-rare genetic disease.
Thu, November 07, 2024
EP 160: Artificial Intelligence, GWAS in Drug Discovery, and Career Insights with Dr. Eric Fauman, Executive Director and Head of Computational Biology in the Internal Medicine Research Unit at Pfizer
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Eric Fauman, Executive Director and Head of Computational Biology in the Internal Medicine Research Unit at Pfizer. Eric and Patrick discuss facilitating efficient identification of potential drug targets and the role of artificial intelligence in genetics research and drug discovery. Please note that Eric has kindly shared some interesting research that was mentioned in the podcast. It is pasted at the end of the show notes.
Thu, October 31, 2024
EP 159: Engineering macrophages to tackle rare disease with Noam Baumatz of Noga Therapeutics
In this episode, we’re joined by Noam Baumatz, CEO and Co-Founder of Noga Therapeutics, a company dedicated to developing gene therapies for rare and severe diseases through engineering macrophages. Motivated by his highly personal experience of rare disease, Noam founded Noga to develop the type of gene therapies his daughter was unable to access. He and Patrick discuss his work with parents and families affected by rare disease, the road to effective, financially accessible gene therapies, and Noam’s previous work in traditional Chinese medicine.
Wed, October 23, 2024
EP 158: Research Roundup with Dr Veera: Discoveries in neurogenetics, evolution, cardiac arrhythmias, and more!
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal, a discovery scientist at Regeneron with an interest in human genetics and drug target discovery in neuroscience and psychiatry. If you’re a regular listener of The Genetics Podcast, you may be familiar with Dr. Veera’s annual round-up episodes, and more recently, his quarterly appearances on the show. We’re pleased to bring you the latest quarterly roundup, during which Dr. Veera and Patrick walk through the most recent developments in genetics, drug discovery, and precision medicine. In this episode, Dr. Veera and Patrick dive into a wide variety of topics, including: - The evolution of skin color in humans - The potential of a novel tau isoform for Alzheimer’s treatment - Protective mechanisms of tomoregulin-1 against herpes simplex virus - The discovery of a new noncoding Mendelian disease mechanism linked to cardiac arrhythmias - A comparative analysis of whole genome versus whole exome sequencing for gene discovery. Tune in now, and don’t forget to check out Veera’s substack, GWAS Stories, and his Twitter, @doctorveera. Additionally, we’re excited to invite you to an in-person meetup for The Genetics Podcast during the ASHG Annual Meeting in Denver, CO! Over the years, we’ve had the honor of speaking with leading voices across science, industry, patient advocacy, and policy. Now, we’re bringing this incredible community together face-to-face. Join us on the evening of Thursday, November 7. To RSVP, visit: https://lu.ma/geneticspodASHG.
Thu, October 17, 2024
EP 157: Bridging genomics, business, and equity in healthcare access with Mark Taylor of LGC Group
In this episode, Patrick speaks with Mark Taylor, Head of Strategic Partnerships at LGC Group, about bridging the gap between genomics innovation and equitable healthcare. They discuss Mark's work with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), challenges in scaling precision therapies for the NHS, and strategies for engaging underrepresented populations. Additionally, we’re excited to invite you to an in-person meet up for The Genetics Podcast during the ASHG Annual Meeting in Denver, CO! Over the years, we’ve had the honor of speaking with leading voices across science, industry, patient advocacy, and policy. Now, we’re bringing this incredible community together face-to-face. Join us on the evening of Thursday, November 7. To RSVP, visit: https://lu.ma/geneticspodASHG.
Fri, October 11, 2024
EP 156: The Genetics Podcast In-Person Event!
Join us at our first in-person podcast event! We will be hosting a reception during the ASHG Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. The event will be held on the evening of Thursday 7 November. Please submit your information in this form (https://lu.ma/geneticspodASHG) to signify your interest in attending!
Thu, October 10, 2024
EP 155: Adeno-associated virus as a delivery vector for genetic eye disease treatment, with Paul Wille of Abeona Therapeutics
This week Patrick is joined by Paul Wille, Director of Product Development at Abeona Therapeutics. They discuss the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene therapy delivery, outline its limitations and benefits, and hone in its potential in the context of genetic eye disorders. Paul also shares his journey from academia to industry and emphasizes the importance of building on existing technologies to advance the field. Additionally, please consider joining us at our first in-person podcast event! We will be hosting a reception during the ASHG Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. The event will be held on the evening of Thursday 7 November. Please submit your information in this form (https://lu.ma/geneticspodASHG) to signify your interest in attending!
Thu, October 03, 2024
EP 154: Pioneering early disease detection through wearable devices and regular monitoring with Dr. Mike Snyder
In this episode, Dr. Mike Snyder, Director of the Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Stanford School of Medicine, shares his pioneering work on health monitoring using multiomics and wearables. The conversation spans personalized aging, the challenges of implementing precision medicine in mainstream healthcare, and Dr. Snyder's vision for a future where proactive health monitoring predicts illness before symptoms appear, keeping people healthier longer. Tune in for a fascinating episode centered on preventative medicine!
Thu, September 26, 2024
EP 153: How genomics is re-writing the taxonomy of disease with Lon Cardon, President and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory
This week, Patrick welcomes President and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, Lon Cardon. They discuss the rise of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and how they changed the face of genetics research and why Lon took the plunge and moved from academia to industry in an era when it was an unpopular choice. Plus, they cover the future of disease taxonomy and why data sharing remains vital to the field of genetics.
Thu, September 19, 2024
EP 152: Unlocking the secrets of gene regulation with Nadav Ahituv, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at UCSF
This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Nadav Ahituv, the Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco. Patrick and Nadav discuss his research on gene regulation, including his intriguing work on bats and their unique metabolic adaptations – and what that means for human health. They also discuss the evolution of our understanding of genetics, from ancient DNA insights to the mechanisms driving human traits, and how these discoveries could pave the way for future therapies.
Thu, September 12, 2024
EP 151: Understanding cell ageing and its role in disease with Marco Quarta Co-founder and CEO of Rubedo Life Sciences
In this episode Patrick is joined by Marco Quarta, Co-founder and CEO of Rubedo Life Sciences, and previously Director of Bioengineering in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University. Since childhood Marco had the dream of ‘curing’ ageing and his work at Rubedo focuses on understanding cell senescence, with the goal of developing novel therapies for age-linked diseases. Join Marco and Patrick as they discuss his transition from academia to founding multiple companies, why not all senescent cells are equal, and how understanding the processes behind cell ageing could help extend human healthspan.
Thu, September 05, 2024
EP 150: Cracking the biological code of aging with Martin Borch Jensen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Gordian Biotechnology
In this episode, we’re joined by Martin Borch Jensen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Gordian Biotechnology and President of Norn Group, a non-profit dedicated to accelerating research and development of therapies targeting the biology of ageing. Patrick and Martin discuss the phenomenon known as the “ageing problem,” how understanding biological age could crack the code on age-related diseases, and the challenges of building a company in a field with no business model blueprint.
Thu, August 29, 2024
EP 149: Sequencing 33 million samples to support the UK’s COVID-19 response with Tony Cox, CEO of UK Biocentre
In this episode, we’re joined by Tony Cox, CEO of UK Biocentre. After spending more than 20 years at The Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he worked on the Human Genome Project, Tony moved to UK Biocentre in January 2020 – just before the world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization pivoted to play a key role in the UK’s response effort, and under Tony’s leadership the center sequenced 33 million DNA samples in just two years. Patrick and Tony discussed receiving a phone call from the UK government, scaling from sequencing 1,000 to 100,000 samples per day, and how to manage producing five tonnes of cardboard waste on a daily basis.
Thu, August 22, 2024
EP 148: Advancing veteran health through the Million Veteran Program with Dr. Mike Gaziano, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
This week, we welcome Dr. Mike Gaziano, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC). Mike is also one of two Principal Investigators of the Million Veteran Program - a national research project in the US looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in veterans. This is a huge undertaking, as Mike describes this project as “the largest health system-based mega-biobank in the world". Join Patrick and Dr. Mike for a discussion on the Million Veteran Program’s research, its integration of extensive data from veterans, and its role in shaping the future of personalized medicine for the veteran community.
Thu, August 15, 2024
EP 147: From research to delivering precision medicine in the clinic with Scott Weiss, Professor of Medicine at Harvard University
This week, we’re joined by Scott Weiss, the Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, Associate Director of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and former Scientific Director at Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine at Mass General Brigham. Patrick and Scott discuss the challenges of integrating large-scale, longitudinal multi-omic profiling into healthcare settings, demonstrating the value of preventative initiatives to health insurance providers, and why, at 78, Scott isn’t planning on retiring from genetics anytime soon.
Thu, August 08, 2024
EP 146: The biology of aging with Austin Argentieri, Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Affiliate Member of the Broad Institute, and Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital
This week Patrick is joined by Austin Argentieri, Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Affiliate Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. Austin’s work focuses on the proteomics of aging and how proteomic signatures are highly predictive for estimating biological age. From the potential of therapeutic applications, to why no “fountain of youth” genes have yet been identified, he and Patrick discuss the heritability of aging and how proteomics can help identify risk of age-related disease.
Thu, August 01, 2024
EP 145: Navigating rare disease drug development regulations with Daniel O’Connor
In this episode, we’re joined by Daniel O’Connor, Director of Regulatory Policy and Early Access at The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Daniel previously spent almost 18 years at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and over his career has specialized in improving and incentivizing pathways to rare disease treatment development. Join Patrick and Daniel as they discuss orphan drug designation, the importance of international collaboration, and how unlocking new regulatory approaches to preventative medicine can help change the future of rare and ultra-rare conditions.
Thu, July 25, 2024
EP 144: Research Roundup with Dr. Veera: breakthroughs in developmental disorders, Parkinson's, SLE, and Alzheimer's
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal, a discovery scientist at Regeneron with an interest in human genetics and drug target discovery in neuroscience and psychiatry. If you’re a regular listener of The Genetics Podcast, you are likely familiar with Dr. Veera’s annual round-up episodes. This year, we are excited to announce quarterly episodes with Dr. Veera, where he and Patrick walk you through the latest developments in genetics, drug discovery, and precision medicine throughout the year. This quarter’s episode will dive into the discovery of a recurrent de novo mutation in a noncoding region linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, the role of RAB32 in Parkinson's disease (PD), insights into monogenic conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus, and new perspectives on Alzheimer's genetics. Tune in now, and don’t forget to check out Veera’s substack, GWAS Stories, and his Twitter, @doctorveera.
Thu, July 18, 2024
EP 143: Harnessing human data in drug development with Jakob Steinfeldt, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Pheiron
This week, we’re joined by Jakob Steinfeldt, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Pheiron, and Honorary Research Fellow at University College London. Jakob and his team are working to create the ‘GPS’ for drug development, using causal insights to identify highly-informed drug targets, with the aim of accelerating clinical trials and revolutionising researchers’ ability to classify highly-relevant patients. Join Patrick and Jakob as they discuss the transition from academia to the world of start-ups, exactly why machine learning has so much potential, and how Pheiron is utilising human data to help get high-impact treatments to patients faster.
Thu, July 11, 2024
EP 142: From genome to bedside: How genetics is transforming modern medical practice with Dr. Andrea Gropman
Welcome to The Genetics Podcast, where Patrick interviews Dr. Andrea Gropman, Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Chief of Neurogenetics at Children’s National Hospital. This conversation explores Dr. Gropman's extensive expertise in genetics and how its integration into clinical settings can optimise patient outcomes. We'll also discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, regulatory and ethical considerations, and the future of genetic research. Tune in for an interesting discussion on the transformative impact of genetics on contemporary medical practice and practical clinical applications.
Thu, July 04, 2024
EP 141: Bringing genomics to the clinic with Lori Orlando, Associate Prof at Duke University
This week, we welcome Lori Orlando, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Precision Medicine Program in the Center for Applied Genomics and Precision Medicine at Duke University. Lori discusses her work as a health services researcher, the MeTree family health history platform, and how she and her team are working to develop a sustainable model for bringing genomic medicine into primary care.
Thu, June 27, 2024
EP 140: The future of Electronic Health Records and data analysis with Ben Goldacre
This week, we’re joined by Ben Goldacre, a renowned doctor, academic, author, and journalist. His books include “Bad Science” and “Bad Pharma,” among others, and he is currently a Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine at University of Oxford. There, he runs the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science which aims to pioneer the better use of data, evidence and digital tools in healthcare and policy. Patrick and Ben discuss Join Patrick and Ben for an open conversation about Ben’s choice to step back from the public eye and the power of the OpenSAFELY platform to improve security, transparency and analysis of Electronic Health Records.
Thu, June 20, 2024
EP 139: Rare disease breakthroughs using tRNA with Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna and CEO-Partner of Flagship Pioneering
This week, we welcome Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna and CEO/Partner at Flagship Pioneering. Michelle and her team are working at the cutting-edge of tRNA therapies, which they hope will present a scalable treatment method for people in the rare and ultra-rare disease communities. Join Patrick and Michelle for an exciting conversation about this breakthrough technology, from the transferable potential of this new modality across stop codon diseases, to Michelle’s personal passion for delivering workable solutions to the rare disease community.
Thu, June 06, 2024
EP 138: Personalised medicine using microbiome models with Dr. Almut Heinken
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Almut Heinken, Junior Professor at the INSERM Institute of Nutrition, Genetics, Environment, and Risk Exposure at Université de Lorraine. Her work focuses on multiscale metabolic modelling of host-microbiome interactions and their role in human health. She has contributed to the development of genome-scale reconstructions of human microbes, known as the AGORA resource. Almut has also developed tools to build personalised microbiome models and applied these models to inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and colorectal cancer. She is currently working on modelling the interactions between diet, the microbiome, and the epigenome. Tune in to this exciting discussion!
Thu, May 30, 2024
EP 137: Mavis Machirori on promoting equity, diversity, and social justice in genomics research
Join us in welcoming Mavis Machirori, Senior Researcher at the Ada Lovelace Institute and co-founder of Genetics Engage (https://www.geneticsengage.org/)! With over 10 years of clinical experience as a midwife, Mavis is dedicated to promoting social justice in healthcare. Her research focuses on the impact of new healthcare technologies on social inequalities. Passionate about equity in data and genomics, she addresses the broader societal impacts of these advancements. Mavis was a guest on our Participant Diversity webinar in 2020, and we are thrilled to have her back on The Genetics Podcast at Sano!
Thu, May 23, 2024
EP 136: Developments in ring chromosome 20 research and advocacy with Allison Watson
Join us in welcoming back a familiar voice, Allison Watson, to The Genetics Podcast. We first spoke to Allison on the podcast back in October 2019 about her work in ring chromosome 20 syndrome (also known as r(20) syndrome). Allison is the Co-founder and CEO of Ring 20 Research and Support UK CIO, a patient advocacy organisation focused on awareness and research for ultra rare r(20) syndrome epilepsy. Tune in as she tells us about developments in the advocacy space for r(20) syndrome over the past four years and landmark moments for research into the condition.v
Thu, May 16, 2024
EP 135: Integration of newborn sequencing programs into healthcare systems with Dr. Ingrid Holm
Welcome to Episode 135 of The Genetics Podcast, where we welcome Dr. Ingrid Holm, an Associate in Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and a Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Ingrid is passionate about integrating newborn screening programs to healthcare systems. She was the co-investigator on the original BabySeq study and is now co-leading a new study — BabySeq2: Bringing equity to genomic sequencing in newborns. She also leads pioneering work in a range of other paediatric projects, all of which we discuss in this episode!
Thu, May 09, 2024
EP 134: Prenatal genetic testing and the future of AI in genetic counselling with Kira Dineen, host of DNA Today
In episode 134, we welcome fellow genetics podcaster Kira Dineen. Kira is most widely known for her award winning podcast, DNA Today, as well as producing a number of other health and science podcasts. Now running for more than 10 years, DNA Today is the winner of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Best Science and Medicine Podcast Awards. When not podcasting, Kira works as a Prenatal Genetic Counsellor at Maternal Foetal Care in Connecticut where she supports patients with high-risk pregnancies, and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. Tune in for a very interesting episode!
Thu, May 02, 2024
EP 133: Insights into pharmacogenomics and increasing diversity in genomics research with Dr. Emma Magavern
Join us as we welcome Dr. Emma Magavern to The Genetics Podcast! In addition to being a medical doctor with an English Literature degree, Dr. Magovern is a Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre of Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine at Queen Mary, Barts, and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Emma also works closely with East London Genes and Health, a program dedicated to increasing engagement in a community that is underrepresented in research. Most recently, she published a paper looking at pharmacogenomics in a British South Asian population. Tune in to this interesting episode!
Thu, April 25, 2024
EP 132: From mammoths to genome editing, trailblazing genetics with Dr. George Church
In this episode, we are excited to welcome George Church, Professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, and Co-founder of Eugit Therapeutics, Colossal Biosciences, Arrived AI, and eGenesis. He is also the Director of PersonalGenomes.org, the world's only open-access information hub for human genomic, environmental, and trait data, as well as an IARPA BRAIN Project and the NIH Center for Excellence in Genomic Science. If that weren’t enough, George was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in Time Magazine’s 2017 Time 100 list. In 2022, he was featured among the most influential people in biopharma by FiercePharma, where he was listed among the top 8 most famous geneticists in human history. All to say, you won’t want to miss this episode with a genetics superstar!
Thu, April 18, 2024
EP 131: The potential of somatic genomics in drug discovery and development with Jake Rubens
In this episode, we welcome Jake Rubens, a seasoned genomic science entrepreneur and co-founder of Quotient Therapeutics. Tune in to hear Jake discuss the potential of somatic genomics (genes that are present in any cell in the body except for germline cells) in therapeutic development. As the founder of several companies, including Tessera and Sana Therapeutics, Jake offers his unique perspective on the advantages of utilising insights from somatic genome sequencing to understand disease mechanisms and discover new drug targets. He also shares valuable lessons from his robust entrepreneurial journey!
Thu, April 11, 2024
EP 130: Quarterly insights into noncoding variants and GWAS with Dr. Veera Rajagopal
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal, a discovery scientist at Regeneron with an interest in human genetics and drug target discovery in neuroscience and psychiatry. If you’re a regular listener of The Genetics Podcast, you are likely familiar with Dr. Veera’s annual round-up episodes. This year, we are excited to announce quarterly episodes with Dr. Veera, where he and Patrick walk you through the latest developments in genetics, drug discovery, and precision medicine throughout the year. This quarter’s episode will focus on non-coding variants and the future of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Tune in now, and don’t forget to check out Veera’s substack, GWAS Stories, and his Twitter, @doctorveera.
Thu, April 04, 2024
EP 129: Patient advocacy for genetic ALS and FTD with Jean Swidler, Executive Director of End the Legacy
In this episode, Patrick welcomes Jean Swidler, the Founder, Executive Director, and Chair of End the Legacy. End the Legacy is a patient-led organization dedicated to articulating and supporting the needs and interests of the genetic ALS and FTD communities. If you are interested in patient advocacy or keen on learning about recent therapeutic developments for those with neurodegenerative conditions, you will want to listen to this episode!
Thu, March 28, 2024
EP 128: Parkinson’s disease and precision medicine with Drs. James Beck and Ignacio Mata
Join us as we welcome two familiar faces, Dr. James Beck, Chief Scientific Officer at Parkinson's Foundation, and Dr. Ignacio “Nacho” Mata, Professor at the Cleveland Clinic and Coordinator of the Latin America Research consortium on the Genetics of PD (LARGE-PD). This pair first appeared on Episode 69 of The Genetics Podcast in September 2021 to discuss the genetics of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the future of precision medicine. Nearly 60 episodes later, Drs. Beck and Mata are back to walk us through updates in the field of PD and precision medicine, increasing diversity in genetic studies, and the potential for prediction and prevention of PD. You won’t want to miss this insightful episode featuring two of the preeminent experts in Parkinson’s disease and precision medicine.
Thu, March 21, 2024
EP 127: Insights into precision medicine, fatty liver disease, and minimally invasive diagnostic tools with Dr. Mazen Noureddin
In this episode, Patrick is joined by Dr. Mazen Noureddin, Professor of Medicine and Transplant Hepatologist at Houston Methodist Hospital. Mazen also leads the Houston Research Institute and Houston Liver Institute, and he previously established the Fatty Liver Program at Cedars-Sinai. Known internationally for his expertise in non-invasive testing and biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH) and cirrhosis, Mazen has been involved in over 40 clinical studies exploring new treatments for MASH. Don’t miss out on this insightful episode!
Thu, March 14, 2024
EP 126: Patient-led research for ultra-rare disease drug development with Julia Taravella, Executive Director of Rare Trait Hope Fund
In this episode, we welcome Julia Taravella, Executive Director of Rare Trait Hope Fund. She founded the organisation 11 years ago when her two children were diagnosed with aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU), an ultra-rare, autosomal recessive, and fatal neurodevelopmental disease. Tune in to learn about her goals for developing a gene therapy cure for the disease, her experiences as a mother raising two children with a terminal illness, and upcoming research developments for AGU.
Thu, March 07, 2024
EP 125: The future of UK Clinical Trial Policy: Innovation, integration, and game-changing legislation with Lord James O’Shaughnessy
This week, we’re joined by Lord James O’Shaughnessy, Member of the House of Lords (UK), and Senior Partner at Newmarket Strategy. In May 2023, Lord O’Shaughnessy led and published a government-commissioned review into the UK clinical trials process, producing key recommendations for policy improvements in R&D innovation. He and Patrick discuss his experience as the Minister in charge of leading the National Health Service through Brexit, and the fundamental importance of integrating R&D into the healthcare system.
Thu, February 29, 2024
EP 124: How ReCode Therapeutics is pioneering tissue specific delivery of gene therapies for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia with John Matthews
On Rare Disease Day, we’re joined by John Matthews, Chief Medical Officer at ReCode Therapeutics. John and Patrick discuss how ReCode is using lipid nanoparticle technologies to revolutionise delivery of novel mRNA and gene correction therapies to Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) and cystic fibrosis patients. Listen in to find out how ReCode and Sano are collaborating to offer eligible patients free genetic testing to better understand the mechanisms behind DNAI1-related PCD, and much more. See here: https://thinkpcd.com/
Thu, February 22, 2024
EP 123: The ethics of newborn genome screening: Actionable insights and beyond with Holly Peay, Senior Research Scientist at the Research Triangle Institute
This week we’re joined by Holly Peay, Senior Research Scientist in Bioethics and Genetic Counseling at the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), and Director of the pioneering Early Check Study. Holly and Patrick discuss the Early Check programme, which is offering whole genome screening to newborns and has successfully screened 1,100 babies to date. They talk about the ethical challenges raised by comprehensive newborn screening, the intersection of bioethics, genetics, and genomics, and how to approach healthcare decisions against a backdrop of complex phenotypes and multiple risk factors.
Thu, February 15, 2024
EP 122: Building genome-scale engineered cells for biotechnology with Leslie Mitchell, Co-founder and CEO of Neochromosome
This week, we deep-dive into the world of genome engineering and yeast organisms with Leslie Mitchell. She’s the Co-founder and CEO of Neochromosome, a synthetic biology company specialising in whole chromosome delivery and highly automated synthesis of complex DNA. Leslie, one of the minds behind the trailblazing Synthetic Yeast Genome Project, discusses the technology behind synthetic chromosome engineering, describes its potential applications, and addresses the challenges of scalability. Listen in as Patrick and Leslie discuss the processes behind chromosome engineering and the impact it could have on the world of gene therapies.
Thu, February 08, 2024
EP 121: Breakthroughs and insights in ALS research with Dr. Michael Benatar
Welcome to this episode of The Genetics Podcast as we host Dr. Michael Benatar, a preeminent figure in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Michael is a Professor of Neurology, the Chief of the Neuromuscular Division, and the Executive Director of the ALS Center at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. Tune in as he and Patrick discuss research and treatment for presymptomatic gene carriers and other people at risk for ALS, as well as the future of ALS research.
Thu, February 01, 2024
EP 120: Exploring the frontiers of gene therapy and AAVs with Dr. Nicole Paulk, CEO and Founder of Siren Biotechnology
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Nicole Paulk, CEO and Founder of Siren Biotechnology and former professor at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Paulk's journey from academia to the forefront of industry innovation offers a unique perspective into gene therapy and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Join us as we explore the futuristic applications of gene editing!
Thu, January 25, 2024
EP 119: Revolutionising drug discovery: how the Pharma Proteomics Project is combining genetic and proteomic data with Chris Whelan
This week we’re joined by the Director of the Neuroscience Data Science: Discovery & Molecular Group at Johnson and Johnson, and Chair of the UKBiobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), Chris Whelan. Chris helps lead the UKB-PPP, a project which aims to revolutionise biomarker discovery through tying together genetic and proteomic data and which has so far gathered more than 50k biological samples. Tune in as Patrick and he discuss how proteomics could change the future of drug discovery in neurology and beyond.
Thu, January 18, 2024
EP 118: The role of genetics in drug discovery and development with Dr. Matt Nelson
Join Patrick as he welcomes Dr. Matt Nelson, an influential voice in the field of genetics and drug development. Matt is currently the Vice President of Genetics and Genomics at Deerfield Discovery, as well as the CEO of Genscience. Prior to his current roles, Matt spent 15 years at GlaskoSmithKline (GSK) as a Principal Scientific Investigator and the Head of Genetics. Tune in for an interesting discussion on how genetic data has shaped drug discovery and development over the past decade, and what is needed for the next great leap forward.
Thu, January 11, 2024
EP 117: Wendy Chung: whole genome newborn screening and other big opportunities in genomic medicine.
In this episode we welcome Dr. Wendy Chung, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr Chung has dedicated much of her career to uncovering the role of genetics in both rare and common diseases, and translating these findings into healthcare. Beyond her incredible science, Wendy has helped shape policy frameworks that govern the world of genetic medicine, and is now leading the pioneering GUARDIAN Study which has provided whole genome screening to >8,000 babies. Join us as we delve into the insights and experiences of a true pioneer in the field of genetics and medicine.
Thu, January 04, 2024
EP 116: Genetics and Medicine: Clonal hematopoiesis, genomics in healthcare, and a new discovery in APOL1 kidney disease with Dr. Alex Bick
Join us for our first episode of 2024 as we welcome Dr. Alex Bick, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Genetic Medicine at Vanderbilt University. In this episode, we will explore the impact of clonal hematopoiesis on cancer and cardiovascular health, examine the integration of genomics in healthcare and preventative medicine, and discuss a recent finding from the Million Veterans Program of a modifier variant in APOL1 kidney disease.
Wed, December 27, 2023
EP 115: The Biggest Stories of 2023 with Dr. Veera Rajagopal (Part 2)
In the second instalment of our annual round-up episode, we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal to cover the biggest stories in genetics and precision medicine of the last 12 months.
Thu, December 21, 2023
EP 114: The Biggest Stories of 2023 with Dr. Veera Rajagopal (Part 1)
In this annual round-up episode, we welcome back Dr. Veera Rajagopal to cover some of the biggest stories in genetics and precision medicine from 2023! Veera is a scientist at Regeneron with an interest in human genetics and drug target discovery in neuroscience and psychiatry. He is a prolific writer as well, both on his substack, GWAS Stories, and on twitter, @doctorveera. Join us as Patrick and Veera cover the highlights of 2023, from Veera’s personal achievements to the approval of Casgevy and understanding the impacts of studying rare variants for drug development!
Thu, December 07, 2023
EP 113: Harnessing human genetics to discover co-evolved small molecule medicines with Dr. Jason Park, CEO of Empress Therapeutics
In this episode of The Genetics Podcast, we welcome Dr. Jason, founder and CEO of Empress Therapeutics, a Flagship Pioneering company.
Thu, November 23, 2023
EP 112: Making the leap: the scientists collaborating to transform genetic targets into next generation treatments, with David Ochoa
This week on The Genetics Podcast Patrick is joined by David Ochoa, Platform Coordinator at Open Targets. They discuss how the Open Targets platform is enabling game-changing collaboration between academic research and big pharma. Working with partners including Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech and Pfizer, Open Targets powers collaboration between some of the world’s biggest drug development pioneers and most renowned academic institutions with the goal of accelerating production of effective drug treatments.
Thu, November 09, 2023
EP 111: Combining human and machine intelligence in protein engineering with Dr. James Field, CEO of LabGenius
In this episode of The Genetics Podcast, we welcome Dr. James Field, founder and CEO of LabGenius. Join us as we delve into LabGenius' cutting-edge approach that utilises machine learning, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated robotics to advance antibody discovery and drug development. As a bonus, learn about James’ path from scientist to CEO, and how he created LabGenius.
Thu, October 26, 2023
EP 110: Educating the next generation of genomics talent, and the intersection of genetics and environment in cancer with Barbara Kraatz Fortini
On this episode of The Genetics Podcast we welcome Dr. Barbara Kraatz Fortini, Associate Professor of Genetics at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). Tune in to learn about Barbara's research on non-coding variants in colorectal cancer and the interplay between genetics and the environment on lifetime cancer risk. As the Program Director for the MS in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics at KGI, Barbara also shares her insights in genomics education for future scientists, physicians, researchers, and counsellors. You don’t want to miss this riveting episode!
Thu, October 12, 2023
EP 109: From the Archives: Professor Sir Rory Collins on the Origins and Future of the UK Biobank
This week, we’re re-sharing one of our favorite episodes from the early days of The Genetics Podcast - one that many newer listeners may not have heard! Tune in as Professor Sir Rory Collins, Founder and Chief Executive of the UK Biobank, talks to us about the origins and evolution of this world-changing project that has catalysed a wave of new discoveries by levelling the playing field in data access. In this inspiring conversation, Professor Sir Rory Collins describes the ‘’If you build it, they will come get it” attitude of the UK Biobank. He believes that the pioneering and collaborative nature of UK Biobank means that the biggest impacts are yet to come. The conversation finishes with details on their COVID-19 work (as of 2020), which involved members from the original 500,000 strong UK Biobank cohort, as well as family members of these participants.
Thu, September 28, 2023
EP 108: Drug Development in Liver Disease: Breakthroughs, Challenges, and Insights with Dimitar Tonev
In this episode of The Genetics Podcast, we're joined by Dimitar Tonev, an experienced drug development consultant specialising in Hepatology and Virology. Tune in to discuss the recent reclassification of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), and the complexities of identifying treatments for this condition. Dimitar sheds light on the pioneering role of non-invasive biomarkers and comments on the potential impacts of the Maestro study. Join us as we dive into the world of liver disease and drug development, touching upon the breakthroughs, challenges, and ethical considerations of clinical trials. For anyone interested in liver health innovations and the future of hepatology research, this episode is a must-listen.
Thu, September 14, 2023
EP 107: Integrating Genomics and Individualised Medicine into the Mayo Clinic Healthcare System with Dr. Konstantinos Lazaridis
In this episode of The Genetics Podcast, we welcome Dr. Konstantinos Lazaridis, the Executive Director of the Center for Individualized Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Tune in to learn about the impacts of genomics and individualised medicine on rare liver diseases and advanced cancers . Discover how the Mayo Clinic actively uses genomic testing, precision medicine, and environmental interventions to improve patient outcomes.
Thu, August 31, 2023
Ep 106: The Colliding World of Rare and Common Disease Genetics with Caroline Wright, Professor of Genomic Medicine at Exeter University
In this episode, Patrick welcomes Caroline Wright, a leading expert in genomic medicine and Professor of Genomic Medicine at Exeter University. Listen in as they delve into the world of rare diseases, discussing the challenges in diagnosis, uses of population cohorts and, the potential of newborn screening. Caroline shares her excitement about new technologies in genomics and emphasises the importance of data sharing. Discover the significance of genetic variants and the need for cautious interpretation.
Thu, August 17, 2023
EP105: Warren Huff, CEO and Chairman of Reata Pharmaceuticals, shares perspectives on provocative biology and the development of treatments for rare diseases
In this episode, Patrick welcomes J. Warren Huff, CEO and Chairman of Reata Pharmaceuticals. Reata is known for innovating small-molecule therapies for severe and life-threatening diseases. Listen in as Warren walks us through their approach of partnering with Universities to find scientific discoveries that could become the next generation of therapies, and Reata’s recent success developing a groundbreaking new treatment for Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), thanks to close collaboration with patient organizations and novel use of natural history data to accelerate their clinical development. 0:00 The beginnings of Reata 2:40 Partnering with universities for breakthroughs in research 5:30 Implications of cancer prevention research on chronic diseases 11:40 Potential concerns in medical ethics and Big Pharma when developing groundbreaking treatments 13:20 Research on NRF2 and its role in treating Friedreich’s Ataxia, a genetic mitochondrial disease that leads to motor neuron decline 18:00 What is a natural history study, and how was it used in Reata’s FA clinical development? 22:50 The potential for clinical grade wearable devices 23:35 Determining clinical endpoints in clinical trials 26:00 The FDA’s approval process for rare disease treatments 32:40 Potential for expanding newborn screening programs 36:00 The generalizability of NRF2-based research to other inflammatory diseases and diseases related to mitochondrial malfunction 39:40 What is Type 3 Diabetes? 40:30 Warren’s career start as a lawyer and his journey to biotech 43:00 Searching for provocative biology 46:20 Major targets for the HSP program 48:30 Closing remarks and lessons in resiliency
Fri, August 04, 2023
EP104: Assessing the clinical utility of Polygenic Risk Scores in cancer screening with Professor Clare Turnbull
Join Patrick Short and Professor Clare Turnbull, Professor in Translational Cancer Genetics at the Institute of Cancer Research, as they discuss polygenic risk scores and their application in healthcare. Delve into the complexities of predicting disease, the challenges of screening programs, and the potential impact of integrating genomics into healthcare systems. Discover the limitations and potential of polygenic risk scores and gain valuable insights into the future of personalized medicine. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Clare’s path to becoming a clinical geneticist and her research in uncovering genetic links to cancer 3:20 How do Polygenic Risk Scores help to predict disease, particularly breast cancer? 10:00 The influence of environmental and genetic effects on breast cancer presentation 11:30 Next clinical steps after determining genetic risk for breast cancer 17:30 How effective and accurate are polygenic risk scores in predicting various types of cancer, given the potential for false positives or negatives? 25:00 The potential for integrating genetic screenings and polygenic risk scores into early cancer diagnosis 27:20 How do monogenic risk scores like BRCA 1 and 2 fit into the paradigm of cancer research? 31:30 Using both monogenic and polygenic to explain population prevalence of disease 35:00 Integration of genomics and genetic screenings into the UK healthcare system 40:30 What comes after the genetic test? What is the use in identifying risk for a disease if nothing is subsequently done to prevent it? 44:50 Clare’s upcoming work in remodeling NHS systems for evidence protocols and clinical use of genetic tests 46:50 Closing remarks
Thu, July 20, 2023
EP103: Gene Writing with Tessera Therapeutics CEO, Dr. Mike Severino
In this episode, Patrick is joined by Dr. Mike Severino, CEO of Tessera Therapeutics and CEO-Partner of Flagship Pioneering. Join us as Mike walks us through Tessera’s approach to treating genetic diseases by rewriting bases, exons, or even whole genes with a novel approach called Gene Writing. 0:00 Intro 1:00 What prompted you to join Flagship Pioneering? 3:32 How is Flagship able to innovate and invent novel therapies in ways that Big Pharma companies may find difficult? 5:00 Introduction to gene writing and the role of Tessera Therapeutics 8:22 The current limitations and challenges of gene writing 10:22 Gene knockouts vs gene writing – which is more useful for genetic therapies? 12:30 Reasons why the liver the most commonly targeted organ for gene therapies 19:00 Lipid Nanoparticles and their role in gene writing 22:45 How do you guide mobile genetic elements to write genes in the intended location? 25:20 Development of gene writing technology since 2018 28:15 The implications of gene writing for diseases like PKU, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, sickle cell disease, and cancer 34:00 Next steps on the way to clinical trials 36:46 Using genomics and computational biology to guide measurable outcomes in drug discovery and development 40:15 Using gene writing to address rare developmental diseases 43:32 Closing remarks
Thu, July 06, 2023
EP102: Dr. Marco Schmidt, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of BioTx.ai, on how to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in genomics research
0:00 Intro 0:45 The founding of BioTx.ai 4:35 How do algorithms for ‘causal inference’ work? 6:30 Modeling gene interactions for genetic disorders 8:35 How to predict gene interactions 10:30 What happens after identifying a potential gene variant or interaction? 14:35 How can you use machine learning to determine causal relationships between gene variants and disease? 17:30 Deconvoluting genes and traits, and their impacts on effect size 19:20 Key ingredients in determining causal relationships: data and computational power 21:10 Limitations of using machine learning to find genetic determinants of rare diseases 24:30 Predicting clinical outcomes with Biotx.ai 28:05 Machine learning enhances efficiency in the pre-clinical phase 29:40 Population genomics in Germany 32:50 Marco’s career decisions – starting a company vs. continuing in academia 35:50 The pros and cons of industry 38:10 The gaps in industry and academia 41:20 Closing remarks
Thu, June 22, 2023
EP101: Fostering international progress towards personalised medicine with Dr. Bettina Lundgren, CEO of the Danish National Genome Center
Join Patrick in welcoming Dr. Bettina Lundgren, CEO of the Danish National Genome Center. Bettina is spearheading the development of personalised medicine in Denmark with a focus on integrating genome sequencing directly into the healthcare system. She is dedicated to fostering international collaboration in research and healthcare delivery. Tune in to learn about the one of the leading national scale genomics initiatives, and Bettina’s r insights on the future of personalised medicine! 0:00 Intro 0:56 Bettina’s path to genomics 1:47 Aspirations of the Danish National Genome Center 4:18 Comparing the Danish National Genome Center to other global genomics programs 8:10 Goal to sequence 60,000 whole genomes by 2024 11:40 The biggest challenges of integrating genomics with healthcare 15:30 Navigating the politics of privacy and data sharing 20:02 Complexities of sharing data across diverse regions and healthcare systems 23:28 Partnerships across borders: Sweden, Europe, and the world 28:10 Looking forward 10 years: strategies and novel developments in personalised healthcare 31:25 Final Thoughts 32:37 Outro
Thu, June 08, 2023
EP100: Decoding DNA and engineering biology: perspectives on the future of genomics with Dr. Matthew Hurles, Director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
In this milestone episode, we welcome Dr Matthew Hurles, geneticist and pioneer in the field of human genomics. Dr Hurles has dedicated his career to unravelling the secrets hidden within our DNA, as well as harnessing cutting-edge research to revolutionise our understanding of genetic disorders, human evolution, and the potential for personalised healthcare. Join Patrick and Matt as they delve into the frontiers of genomic science, from the implications of newborn screenings to emerging technologies and the transforming role of researchers. 0:00 Intro 1:55 Genetics in the ’90s compared to genetics today 4:30 Work-life balance in science 8:00 Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) study 13:10 New technologies in genome sequencing 14:45 How far are we from using next-generation sequencing as standard for diagnosing rare disease? 17:10 The Industrialization of genomics research 21:10 Will we move to a world where everyone is sequenced at birth? 25:20 Uses for cellular assays in healthcare and research 27:15 Bridging the gap between rare and common diseases 31:35 Birth cohorts and newborn screening studies 33:30 The power of early diagnosis and intervention with genomics 36:30 Open access databases 38:40 Advice for early-career researchers 41:20 Future directions for the Wellcome Sanger Institute 43:30 Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in genomics 45:30 Thank you 46:50 Outro
Thu, May 25, 2023
EP99: Exploring the frontiers of cancer research with Dr. Harold E Varmus
Join us for EP99 of The Genetics Podcast as Patrick dives into the extraordinary career and work of Dr. Harold E Varmus, a Nobel laureate scientist, former director of the National Institutes of Health, president of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, and director of the National Cancer Institute. Join Patrick and Harold as they navigate the complex landscape of cancer, from advancements that have revolutionized the field to diversity in cancer research and the Polyethnic-1000 Genome Project. This compelling episode is punctuated by Harold’s personal reflections, and invaluable learnings from his career. 1:27 Why a Beowulf quote made its way into Harold’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech 2:28 How it feels to hear you have won a Nobel Prize 4:04 How did fulfilling a national responsibility during the Vietnam War lead to a Nobel Prize 7:54 Areas of cancer research that are moving forward, and areas that are more stubborn 9:44 The formidable hurdle of metastasis 11:00 The educational power of COVID 12:33 Cancer and evolution: why is cancer so difficult? 14:50 Introducing the Polyethnic-1000 Genome Project 19:35 Working with WHO to ensure genomic technologies are accessible to all 23:03 What are the biggest blockers to the widespread adoption of genomics? 26:00 Context switching: From ‘deep’ science to stepping into the role of director 28:50 Learnings on how science is funded and coordinated 33:05 Discussing the allocation of funding: small grants Vs. large, coordinated efforts 36:16 Co-founding PLoS and PubMed Central 39:49 Accelerating the shift towards more open science 44:44 Just how close are we to curing cancer? 48:00 Studying cancer rates in mammalian species
Thu, May 11, 2023
EP 98: Cancer, ageing, and somatic mutation variation across mammals with Alex Cagan (Wellcome Sanger Institute)
In this episode, Patrick is joined by Alex Cagan, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, specialising in evolutionary processes in somatic tissue. Tune in as Alex walks us through a fascinating new study, years in the making, looking at somatic mutation rates across 16 mammalian species, spanning 30-fold in lifespan and around 40,000-fold in body mass. This work sheds light on fundamental questions in cancer and ageing across the tree of life. 0:00 Intro 6:00 Collaborating with the London Zoo, and the challenges of sourcing tissue from long-living animals 9:06 Why are naked mole rats so important to the cancer and ageing community? 11:32 The scale and breadth of species sampled in the study 14:53 Is there a ceiling to how many mutations an organism can tolerate? 17:53 Why are intestinal crypts so effective for sequencing somatic mutations? 20:44 Key learnings from driving a 5-year study into somatic evolution 22:46 Are there really any “immortal” species, and what are they? 25:19 Why are cancer rates lower in larger species, and is this related to lower mutation rates, DNA error correction or both? 27:24 Investigating transmissible cancers in Chernobyl 29:40 Is cancer everywhere in the tree of life? 31:23 Alex talks about applying his talent for illustration to science 38:56 The Sanger Tree of Life program, the Darwin Tree of Life project, and the bright future ahead for research on somatic mutations 40:14 Outro Find out more about the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04618-z
Wed, April 26, 2023
EP 97: Proteomics deep dive with Cindy Lawley (Olink)
In this episode, Patrick is joined by Cindy Lawley, Senior Director of Population Health at Olink Proteomics and co-host of the Proteomics in Proximity podcast. Cindy has worked with major population genomics programs, including the UK Biobank, to bring together proteomics, genomics, and deep phenotyping using the Olink platform. Olink is one of the most promising proteomics technologies on the market, and the platform has been used in >1,000 publications, including landmark work in the UKBiobank to integrate genomics and proteomics. The largest Olink assay currently covers around 3,000 proteins, and the scale continues to grow, while costs are decreasing, paving the way for larger integrated proteomic and genomic data sets in the future. Join Cindy and Patrick for this 45-minute episode as they explore: how population-scale proteomics is driving novel discoveries different proteomics technologies, cost and throughput trajectories, and what is on the horizon surprising findings from longitudinal sampling of proteins And much more. If you would like to hear more from Cindy, listen to the Proteomics in Proximity podcast when you follow the link below. https://podfollow.com/1645900688
Thu, April 13, 2023
EP 96: CEO of Montai Health, Margo Georgiadis, talks the intersection of nature and AI
Food is medicine. And leveraging its power to heal isn’t a new concept. In fact, roughly 50% of all small-molecule medicines are derived from nature. But what if we could use AI to better understand the biology of the millions of molecules humans already consume? What if we could then apply this information to identify new treatments for chronic diseases? This week, we’re welcoming the CEO of Montai Health, Margo Georgiadis, to the podcast to discuss their AI platform that uses literature and wet lab experiments to analyse “the most privileged chemistry on Earth” to find new treatments for chronic diseases. Join Patrick and Margo for this hour-long episode, as they explore how Montai is leveraging technology to develop medicines based on the chemistry of food. From why ‘Anthromeolecules’ represent an abundant source of opportunities for drug discovery to the potential for AI to accelerate drug discovery and healthcare, this jam-packed episode celebrates the intersection of nature and technology. After listening to this hour-long episode, you will: understand Anthromolecules, and how the millions of molecules we already consume could be developed into new medicines know how AI can be leveraged to build a ‘ChatGPT’ to learn the language of biology and chemistry recognise Margo’s journey into biotech and healthcare, from her roots in the tech industry
Fri, March 31, 2023
EP 95: Resharing Eric Topol on how Machine Learning & AI can Contribute to the Future of Healthcare
Progress in AI is accelerating, and the potential in healthcare and precision medicine is enormous. In 2019, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Eric Topol, author of ‘The Patient Will See You Now’ and ‘Deep Medicine’. Eric has had an incredible career which has been largely focused on researching cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, both of which he worked on in the Cleveland Clinic and Scripps Institute. Now, we’re reposting the interview as the conversation is more relevant than ever. Join Patrick and Eric as they discuss wireless medicine and the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in medicine and healthcare.
Thu, March 16, 2023
EP 94: Alnylam’s Dr Paul Nioi on how genetics is used in drug target discovery
“We’re pioneering the ability to detect genetic disease earlier, and actually intervene in a way that is going to help those patients.” In this jam-packed 45-minute episode, we’re joined by Dr Paul Nioi, Vice President of Discovery and Translational Research at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Chair of the Founders Board for Our Future Health. Join Patrick and Paul as they expose the two major reasons that 90% of clinical drug development fails, and why many believe that embedding genetics into target discovery and validation can increase the success rate of trials by 2-5 times. They also deep-dive into: the evolution of population genomics: from Iceland's DECODE to the UK Biobank examples of the value of recontact-by-genotype studies in supporting safety studies for novel targets, evidenced by the recontact of an ultra-rare homozygous loss-of-function carrier of the gene HAO1 the next chapter in population genomics that’s pioneering the ability to detect genetic diseases earlier the challenges of recontacting participants in biobanks and avoiding overwhelming the healthcare system, whilst responsibly handling patients’ sensitive data Alnylam’s work to develop therapeutics for genetic diseases based on RNAi, the discovery that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 2006 Tune in to benefit from Paul’s invaluable insights and expertise, which are coloured with practical examples from his career throughout. After listening to this 45 minute episode, you will: recognise the role of genetics in supporting the safety and efficacy of novel targets in clinical development understand the evolution of population genomics and what’s next understand how RNAi works, and how it differs from gene editing and other forms of next-generation therapies
Tue, January 24, 2023
EP 93: International Perspectives on Access to Genetic Testing in ALS
Access to genetic testing for patients with genetic diseases, such as ALS, can vary dramatically based on country and postcode. For an ALS patient considering genetic testing in Canada, the reality of their federally-funded healthcare system is a far cry from the general perception. In the US, genetic testing access and cost varies widely between community healthcare settings, and academic research centers. And in the UK, accessibility to genetic testing can be a simple matter of geography. In this webinar, Paul Wicks leads the discussion with Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi, Dr Patrick Short and Kristina Salmon on international perspectives on genetic testing for ALS. The lessons from this discussion apply not just to ALS, but the hundreds of other rare and common genetic diseases where access to genetic testing is a challenge for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers.
Thu, January 05, 2023
EP 92: Four Predictions for 2023
From changing drug pricing legislation to AI breakthroughs, in the first episode of The Genetics Podcast for 2023, Patrick makes four predictions for the biggest stories of 2023. We will check in at the end of the year to see how he did! For those interested in doing further reading, any resources mentioned during the podcast are linked below. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-inflation-reduction-act-killing-potential-cures-pharmaceutical-companies-treatment-patients-drugs-prescriptions-ira-manufacturers-1166750829
Sat, December 24, 2022
EP 91: 2022 Genetics Round-up with Dr Veera Rajagopal
If there’s one genetics podcast episode to listen to this year, it’s this one. In the final episode of The Genetics Podcast for 2022, we’re joined by Dr Veera Rajagopal, who is known as the ‘GWAS storyteller’ on Twitter for his prolific threads breaking down the latest findings in genetics. Join Patrick and Veera as they review the most exciting stories in genetics this year, from the impact the bubonic plague has had on human evolution and our modern day lives, to looking forward and celebrating more diverse, representative populations in genetics research. For those interested in doing further reading, Veera has kindly provided links to all the papers he references during this podcast episode, and we encourage you to follow him on Twitter @doctorveera and substack (https://gwasstories.substack.com/) for regular posts on the latest in genetics and genomics. Links to the papers discussed in the episode: Mind blowing genetics Natural selection in humans at speed never seen before – black death story (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05349-x) Hypermutated human genomes - first glimpse into the genetic and environmental factors that accelerate germline mutation rates (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04712-2) A new monogenic cause for obesity--a structural variant that causes a skin specific gene to express in every cell of the body (https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-022-00703-9) Milestone achievements Remarkable moment in the human genetics—saturated GWAS of height in 5.4 million individuals (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05275-y) Looking beyond “exomes” – first population scale WGS study in the UK Biobank—what to expect as move from exomes to genomes? (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04965-x) Proteomics at scale—another successful industry-UKB Biobank collaboration to establish world’s largest proteomics resource (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.17.496443v1) A step in the right direction 150,000 exomes from Mexico - first large scale exome database for a non-European population (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.26.495014v1) First glimpse into the genetics of age of onset T2D in Indian population (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.14.508063v1) Shedding more lights on the PRS barriers to non-European ancestry (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01835-x)
Thu, December 08, 2022
EP 90: Patient-centric drug development in ALS with Ronald van der Geest, Chief Development Officer of Treeway
"If someone tells you it’s not possible, then it’s interesting" according to Treeway Chief Development Officer Ronald van der Geest. Founded in 2012 by two ALS patients who refuse to take their diagnoses lying down, Treeway develops novel treatments for ALS, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Join Patrick and Ronald in our latest podcast episode as they explore Treeway’s roots, the four major disciplines required for successful development of novel treatments, discuss the landscape of ALS treatment options in 2022, and celebrate the power of a small group of people, smart design and resilience.
Thu, November 24, 2022
EP 89: Baroness Nicola Blackwood on the UK's leading role in delivering 'genomic healthcare for everyone'
This week Patrick is joined by Baroness Nicola Blackwood, the first female MP for Oxford. She was elected by MPs of all parties to Chair the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. Baroness Blackwood remains the youngest-ever select committee chair in British history and the only woman to have held that position. Nicola is chair of Genomics England and has been a champion for genomics and the life sciences in UK policy. This episode covers the past, present, and future of genomics in healthcare in the UK and some of the exciting initiatives on the horizon, including whole genome sequencing in newborn screening.
Thu, November 10, 2022
EP 88: Precision oncology: how Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is powering care today and the treatments of the future with Christine Ward (Takeda) and Geoff Oxnard (Foundation Medicine)
In this episode, guests Christine Ward, VP and Head of Oncology and Cell Therapy Precision & Translational Medicine at Takeda and Geoff Oxnard, Thoracic Oncologist and VP of Foundation Medicine talk to Patrick about Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in precision oncology. Also covered are the impact of large-scale genetic datasets on patient diagnosis, data consortiums enabling pioneering discoveries, and the recent partnership between Takeda and Foundation Medicine.
Thu, October 27, 2022
EP 87: Representation Matters: Why equitable access and community engagement are critical in genetic research
This episode, our Partnerships Lead, Lindsey Wahlstrom-Edwards dove into the importance of representation in genetic research, covering the techniques used by leading organisations to make research more accessible and representative. Lindsey is joined by Listen to speakers Natasha Ratcliffe of COUCH Health, Del Smith of Acclinate and Ebony Scott of Lupus Research Alliance to learn how to make sure your precision medicine study is inclusive by design.
Thu, October 13, 2022
EP 86: Heidi Rehm PhD, Chief Genomics Officer at Massachusetts General Hospital on curating and collaborating genomic datasets to guide the future of diagnostic and clinical research
This week, Patrick speaks to Heidi Rehm, Chief Genomics Officer at Massachusetts General Hospital. Heidi is a leader in defining standards for the interpretation of sequence variants and is a principal investigator for Clinical Genome Resource, otherwise known as ClinGen. ClinGen provides free and publicly accessible resources to support gene and variant interpretation. Heidi also co-leads the Matchmaker Exchange, aiding gene discovery for rare diseases.
Thu, September 29, 2022
EP 85: Dr Jessica Kissinger on large-scale parasite genomics and the power of multi-omic data
Dr Jessica Kissinger and her collaborators run some of the world's largest databases of multi-omic data from eukaryotic parasites. In this episode, we explore major findings in the field and Dr Kissinger's vision of large-scale interoperable datasets driving novel discoveries. Plus, Dr Kissinger shares her recent and personal experience of diagnosis with a rare disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, that puts everything into perspective.
Thu, September 01, 2022
EP 84: Mark Kotter, CEO, and Founder of bit.bio, on creating every cell type and kickstarting a cell therapy revolution
Doctors have been transplanting organs for decades, but can we transplant reprogrammed stem cells to rejuvenate the human body? This week Patrick discusses transcriptional reprogramming, and bit.bio's opti-ox technology that has the potential to create every cell type and help kickstart a cell therapy revolution. With Mark Kotter Ph.D., neurosurgeon, and CEO and Founder of bit.bio.
Thu, August 11, 2022
EP 83: Daphne Koller, Founder & CEO of Insitro - Integrating machine learning and biology at scale to reimagine drug discovery
About this Episode: This week’s guest, Daphne Koller, is the Founder and CEO of Insitro - a company shifting the paradigm of new drug discovery using predictive models. Patrick and Daphne talk about why she founded Insitro, how to create unified datasets, and the importance of being realistic about drug discovery.
Wed, July 13, 2022
EP 82: Lessons from the world's largest genomic datasets with Daniel MacArthur, Director of the Centre for Population Genomics.
This week’s guest, Daniel MacArthur, is the Director of the Centre for Population Genomics at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Daniel and Patrick discuss the impact of large-scale genetic datasets on patient diagnosis and treating genetic subtypes of disease, the power of big data and consortiums to enable pioneering discoveries, and give advice for early career researchers thinking about the dichotomy between industry and academia.
Wed, June 29, 2022
EP 81: Cracking the druggable genome with Dietrich Stephan, Founder and CEO of NeuBase Therapeutics
This week Patrick is joined by Dietrich Stephan, Founder and CEO of NeuBase Therapeutics. They discuss how to overcome the challenges of ’un-druggable’ diseases, how Neubase is cracking the druggable genome using its scalable technology, and how biotech companies are innovating to secure the investment needed to accelerate precision medicine during a challenging period for the industry.
Wed, June 15, 2022
EP 80: Rare disease genomics and the 'near-coding' genome with Nicky Whiffin, Group Leader at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics
From decoding the genetics of rare disease using computational methods, to understanding the non-coding and 'near-coding' genome, this week Patrick is joined by Nicky Whiffin, Group Leader at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the University of Oxford. They discuss what it's like to create a brand new research group and the potential impact of whole genome sequencing on diagnosis rates.
Wed, June 01, 2022
EP 79: The Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Project with Michael Spigler, Vice President of Patient Support and Education at American Kidney Fund
In this week’s episode Patrick is joined by Michael Spigler, Vice President of Patient Support and Education at American Kidney Fund. They discuss how making genetic testing mainstream could significantly improve patient outcomes, why black Americans are four times more likely to experience chronic kidney failure, and what can be done to reduce the number of patients needing dialysis.
Wed, May 18, 2022
EP 78: From datasets to front-line healthcare; polygenic risk scores and genomic prediction with Prof Sir Peter Donnelly, CEO of Genomics PLC
This week Patrick is joined by Sir Peter Donnelly, CEO of Genomics PLC and Professor of Statistical Science at the University of Oxford. They discuss how to get from data to implementation in the clinic, the challenges of polygenic risk scores including prediction across different ethnic backgrounds, and the role of genomics in drug discovery.
Wed, May 04, 2022
EP 77: The journey to novel gene therapies for hearing loss and balance disorders with Laurence Reid, CEO at Decibel Therapeutics
This week’s guest is Laurence Reid, CEO at Decibel Therapeutics. He talks to Patrick about the journey to deliver novel gene therapies to patients with genetic hearing loss and balance disorders, the future of tackling hearing issues at birth, and his experience learning about the field of inner-ear biology and taking up the role of CEO at Decibel.
Wed, April 20, 2022
EP 76: The UK Biobank Whole Genome Sequencing Project: building the future of genomics research with Dr Mark Effingham, Dr Kári Stefánsson and Professor Marylyn Ritchie
This week Patrick is joined by three pioneering guests united by one ground-breaking project: the UK BioBank’s Whole Genome Sequencing Project. Dr Mark Effingham, Deputy CEO of UK Biobank; Dr Kári Stefánsson, Founder and CEO of deCODE Genetics, and Professor Marylyn Ritchie, University of Pennsylvania, discuss the goals of the collaboration, it’s challenges, and the potential it has to change the future of genomics research.
Wed, April 06, 2022
EP 75: Participant engagement in genomics research, with Nathalie Kingston, Director of the NIHR BioResource
This week’s guest is Nathalie Kingston, Director of the NIHR BioResource. She talks to Patrick about how the scale of the BioResource has grown dramatically over the last nine years, her most exciting moments as Director to date, and how the BioResource is using Sano's technology to accelerate and support its research programmes.
Sun, December 19, 2021
EP 74: Biggest breakthroughs of 2021 with Personalized Medicine Podcast host, Oleksandr Yagensky
In the last episode of the year, Patrick joins forces with the host of the Personalized Medicine Podcast, Oleksandr Yagensky, to discuss six of the biggest and most exciting breakthroughs in genetics research in 2021. They talk about developments including cancer testing in healthy people, newborn genetic screening, AI and machine learning, stem cells, and more.
Wed, November 24, 2021
EP 73: Ochre Bio: Building an in-silico liver model and addressing the impact and challenges of developing new treatments
In this week’s episode Patrick speaks to Quin Wills and Jack O’ Meara, Co-Founders of Ochre Bio, about their founding story, why in-silico discoveries could be the road to faster and lower cost liver therapeutics, and the need for prioritising preventative measures against disease as the average human lifetime gets longer.
Wed, November 10, 2021
EP72: The DecodeME team on the challenges facing myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome patients and the future of personalised treatments
In this week’s episode Patrick speaks to Sonya Chowdhury, Chris Ponting and Andy Devereux-Cooke from the DecodeME project, the world’s largest genetic myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome study. They discuss the symptoms of ME, the challenges facing ME and chronic fatigue patients, the issues surrounding funding and the future of personalised treatments.
Fri, October 29, 2021
EP 71: Chief Medical Officer at LyGenesis, Professor Paulo Fontes, on the future of organ transplants
This week’s guest, Paulo Fontes, is a Professor of Surgery and Chief Medical Officer at LyGenesis, an organ regeneration technology platform with a current focus on liver regeneration for patients with end stage liver disease. He talks to Patrick about how our lymph nodes can act as a 'bioreactor' to regrow functioning organs, how liver cells could be used in multiple transplants, and shares his thoughts on the future of organ transplants.
Thu, October 14, 2021
EP 70: The University of Oxford's Professor Cecilia Lindgren: understanding complex disease through big data and team science
In this week’s episode Patrick speaks to Director of the Big Data Institute at University of Oxford, Professor Cecilia Lindgren, about her biggest eureka moment, the power of collaboration and consortiums across academia and industry to grow genetic sample sizes and accelerate research, and the importance of best practice standards to enable genetic research to scale successfully.
Fri, September 24, 2021
EP 69: Chief Scientific Officer at Parkinson's Foundation, Dr James Beck, and Dr Ignacio Mata, Professor at the Cleveland Clinic, on the genetics of Parkinson’s disease and the future of precision treatments
What is the role of genetics in Parkinson’s disease? From the impact of variants in the LRRK2 gene, to the need to expand PD research in diverse populations to aid the development of new medicines, this week’s guests, Dr Ignacio Mata and Dr James Beck, talk to Patrick about the history, and future, of precision medicine development in Parkinson’s disease.
Wed, September 01, 2021
EP 68: Dr Patrick Short features on GIANT’s Healthy Innovators Podcast and discusses the path to creating a successful startup in genomic medicine
In this special episode we’re sharing Patrick’s guest appearance on GIANT’s Healthy Innovators Podcast. He talks to the podcast’s host, Barry Shrier, about the need to accelerate the development of new treatment options, how personalised medicine is changing the future of healthcare and what it takes to create a successful startup in the genomic medicine landscape.
Wed, August 18, 2021
EP 67: Dr Anna Lewis from the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard, on the biggest ethical questions in DNA sequencing and editing
As more and more people get their DNA sequenced, through health care initiatives, biobanks and direct-to-consumer testing, an array of ethical questions arise. From how results are shared with research participants, to the ambiguities surrounding gene editing, Patrick and this week’s guest, Dr Anna Lewis, Research Associate at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard, dive deep into the big questions surrounding genetics and medicine.
Wed, August 04, 2021
EP 66: Professor David Strain, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, on the emergence of Long COVID, its impact and how research is vital for supporting patients
For many Long COVID patients the debilitating long-term symptoms they experience emerged after what, at first, appeared to be a mild COVID-19 infection. Professor David Strain, Senior Clinical Lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School and Honorary Consultant in Medicine, speaks to Patrick about the patterns he saw emerge while working on the frontline of the pandemic. From the first time David attended a meeting about COVID-19, at a 3am webinar broadcast from China, to working with Sano to help identify the genetic markers of Long COVID, they discuss the still emerging impact of the condition, from the first use of the term 'Long COVID' in May 2020, up until today.
Wed, June 30, 2021
EP 65: Dr Patrick Short guest features on The G Word podcast and discusses the power of translational research with CEO of Genomics England, Chris Wigley
In this special episode we’re sharing Patrick’s guest appearance on Genomics England’s new podcast, The G Word. Patrick speaks to Chris Wigley, CEO of Genomics England, about his work on the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) project during his PhD and how his career has focused on the power of translation research to directly impact on and improve people’s lives.
Wed, June 23, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 8: Chief Medical Officer at ESCAPE Bio, Dr Carrolee Barlow, on developing precision medicines for genetic forms of Parkinson’s disease
How can precision medicine techniques be used to develop potential new treatments for genetic Parkinson’s disease? In the latest episode of our Precision Pioneers miniseries, Patrick speaks to Dr Carrolee Barlow, Chief Medical Officer at ESCAPE Bio, about the challenges of accessing genetic testing for Parkinson’s patients, how genetically guided treatments could help patients with the LRRK2 gene, and how new technologies such as wearable devices could help catch Parkinson’s cases at an earlier stage.
Mon, June 07, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 7: Dr Vineeta Agarwala on investing in the future of precision medicine at the a16z bio fund
Can the speed and success of COVID-19 trials teach us how to run other trials 5x faster going forward? Can polygenic risk scores be effectively integrated into healthcare systems? Why do 'unique datasets' hold the key to future drug discovery? And why is there a disparity between precision medicine development in cancer and all other disease areas? Dr Vineeta Agarwala, General Partner at the Andreessen Horowitz Bio Fund, answers all these questions and more as she discusses the future of biotech and genomic medicine with Patrick.
Wed, May 19, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 6: Chief Medical Officer at ASC Therapeutics, Oscar Segurado, on the break-through application of CRISPR gene editing to treat haemophilia
What have gene editing and gene therapies got to do with rockets and satellites? Oscar Segurado, Chief Medical Officer at ASC Therapeutics, explains in the sixth episode of our precision pioneers miniseries. Oscar joins Patrick to discuss the future of precision medicine and how CRISPR gene editing technology can be applied to treat haemophilia.
Wed, May 05, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 5: Alnylam's Josh Friedman on developing precision medicines for the 'silent killer' NASH/NAFLD
On this episode of the podcast, Patrick is joined by Josh Friedman, Senior Director of Research at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Alnylam works on the discovery and development of RNA interference therapeutics; treatments for genetic diseases which work by ‘switching off’ the specific genes associated with a given condition. In this fifth episode of our precision pioneers miniseries, we explore how RNA interference can be applied to treat common and rare genetic diseases, and dive deep into the genetics of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and NASH.
Wed, April 21, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 4: Geneticist and Harvard professor, Robert Green on accelerating implementation of genomic medicine
On this episode of the podcast Patrick is joined by Robert Green, a geneticist, Professor of Medicine at Harvard, and Director of the Preventive Genomics Clinic at Brigham Health, whose work centers around accelerating evidence based implementation of genomic medicine. Through the Genomes2People research programme, Robert has led numerous randomised control trials of genetic sequencing in adults and newborns. Patrick and Robert discuss topics including testing for common complex disease risks in healthy adults, genetic testing for newborns, and what major barriers need to be overcome to realise the full potential of personalised medicine.
Wed, April 07, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 3: CEO of Faze Medicines, Phil Vickers on 'Running toward challenges' in precision medicine development
Continuing with our mini series of Precision Pioneers, Patrick is joined by Phil Vickers, President and CEO at Faze Medicines. Phil discusses his career, including his time with companies such as Merck and Shire Pharmaceuticals. Topics discussed include: The differences between drug development in common and rare disease The unique and patient-centric approach to rare disease research at Shire How genomics has impacted drug development in the past 20 years How to balance affordability of new medicines with company profitability and continued R&D investment The role of 'platforms' in drug development, including both technology platforms and 'knowledge' platforms
Thu, March 25, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 2 : Aristea Therapeutics CMO Nihar Bhakta on developing precision medicines for both common and rare diseases
This week Patrick talks to Nihar Bhakta as part of our series of ‘Precision Pioneers’. Dr Bhakta is the Chief Medical Officer at Aristea Therapeutics, a clinical-stage drug development company developing novel therapies to treat serious inflammatory diseases. Dr Bhakta specialises in precision medicine and in this episode they focus on his work developing precision medicines for both common and rare diseases. This is the second episode in a mini-series on ‘Precision Pioneers’ - stay tuned for more episodes in this area and find previous episodes by searching for The Genetics Podcast on any podcast provider.
Wed, March 03, 2021
Precision Pioneers EP 1: Variant Bio CSO Kaja Wasik on the power of human genetic diversity in drug development
This week Patrick is joined by Dr Kaja Wasik, CSO and co-founder of Variant Bio. Prior to Variant Bio, Kaja co-founded Gencove, a spin-out from the New York Genome Center and an innovator in low-pass whole genome sequencing and imputation. In this episode Patrick and Kaja discuss Variant Bio's approach to using human genetic data for novel drug development and their model for engaging deeply with communities who donate genetic samples and offer a share in the companies revenues. This is the first episode in a mini-series on 'Precision Pioneers' - stay tuned for more episodes in this area.
Wed, February 17, 2021
EP 56: The business of start ups with Jason Mellad, CEO of Start Codon
On this episode, Patrick is joined by Jason Mellad, CEO and Co-Founder at Start Codon, a healthcare startup accelerator that helps develop healthcare startups. Patrick and Jason discuss how Start Codon identifies new technologies and businesses that have a potential to make an impact, Jason's approach to mentorship, diversity and inclusion, and even The LAB, a science-themed cocktail bar in Cambridge that Jason co-owns.
Wed, February 03, 2021
EP 55: The Girl With MS talks about her journey with Multiple Sclerosis and advocacy
This week we talk to ‘The Girl With MS’, Caroline Craven. A Multiple Sclerosis patient advocate, Caroline has written thousands of blog posts about her journey with the condition to help others manage MS as well. They discuss options for treatment, what it’s like being a patient advocate in this space for over 10 years, and the importance of a good neurologist.
Wed, January 20, 2021
Ep 54: Genetic testing, breaking down stigma, and supporting people with Familial ALS with Daniel Barvin
In this episode of the Genetics Podcast we’re joined by Daniel Barvin, an ALS advocate whose family is affected by Familial ALS. Daniel has a genetic variant in the gene called C9orf72 that predisposes him to develop this neurodegenerative disease, and he talks about his experience getting genetic testing and decision with his wife to undergo IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to ensure that their child did not inherit the genetic variant. Daniel joins Patrick to discuss the lack of availability of genetic testing in ALS, how to make genetic testing more accessible, breaking down stigmas in hereditary disease, and his work with the non-profit 'I AM ALS’. Patrick also mentions the upcoming Festival Genomics with over 100 great speakers. You can find out more here: https://www.festivalofgenomics.com/
Thu, January 14, 2021
EP 53: Predictions and trends to watch for the year ahead with Jane Theaker, Phillip Beer, and Jason Mellad
This first episode of 2021 sees host Patrick Short talk to three insightful guests about their predictions for research and medicine in the year ahead. In this compilation episode, Patrick talks to Jane Theaker, Phillip Beer and Jason Mellad, each experts in their field. Our guests are: Jane Theaker, the CEO of Kinomica Limited, a company at the fore of precision medicine that’s providing disruptive cell signalling technology. Jason Mellad, the CEO and Co-Founder of Start Codon a healthcare accelerator working to seed-fund truly disruptive healthcare start ups. Our final guest is Phillip Beer, a Physician scientist with expertise in clinical cancer genomics, early phase therapeutic development and biomarker discovery. Holds leadership roles in the commercial, healthcare and academic sectors.
Wed, December 09, 2020
EP 52: Population-scale viral sequencing with Dr Jeff Barrett, Lead Statistical Geneticist for COG-UK
On this episode of the podcast Patrick is joined by returning guest Dr Jeff Barrett. Jeff is the the lead statistical geneticist for The COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). Patrick and Jeff discuss COG-UK's sequencing operation that is tracking viral spread around the UK, how to identify super spreader events from virus data, what is known about re-infection from COVID19, and results from the vaccine trials and what the next year may hold.
Thu, November 26, 2020
EP 51: 20-year study of 55,000 Canadians: Alberta's Tomorrow Project with Dr Jennifer Vena
On this episode of the podcast Patrick is joined by Dr Jennifer Vena the Scientific Director of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project. Although Jennifer joined ‘ATP’ in 2018, the project itself has been running for over twenty years with research plans that extend through the next fifty years. Patrick and Jennifer discuss the history of the ‘ATP’, its goals for the future, and the role Covid will continue to play including with research studies that are not directly associated with the disease.
Wed, November 11, 2020
EP 50: Dr Barry Singer, the MS doctor who is using technology to connect with patients and scale his impact
Dr Barry Singer is a neurologist who specialises in multiple sclerosis, he is also the host of MS Living Well, a podcast that deals with living with multiple sclerosis. In 2007 Dr Singer created the website MS living well as a resource centre for patients looking to find information about the disease. In this episode, Patrick and Dr Singer talk about how advancements in technology have not only produced advancements from a scientific perspective but also in the doctor patient relationship. For example, Dr Singer reaches thousands of patients through his website, blog, and podcasts providing high-quality information to everyone, regardless of whether they live near a specialist center. Dr Singer also uses voice-to-text technology in his appointments, leaving him free to speak with his patients rather than typing on a keyboard the whole time. From the genetics of MS to trying to understand why women are affected more by auto-immune diseases, this episode draws on Dr Singer’s experience in the field.
Thu, October 29, 2020
EP 49: Genomics in education and the social sciences with Dr Daphne Martschenko
Patrick interviews Dr Daphne Martschenko, a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University. Daphne’s work has focused on genomics and the American education system. She has published extensively in scholarly journals and mainstream outlets on the topic of education inequity, particularly among young people of color. Patrick and Daphne discuss the history of IQ testing, how genome-wide association analysis and polygenic risk scores are being applied to education, and the ethical issues surrounding gene editing technologies.
Wed, October 14, 2020
EP 48: Tipping the Balance on Ulcerative Colitis with Seb Tucknott
Seb Tucknott is an author and patient advocate who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2008. In 2015 he founded IBD relief, an online community of others with the condition that also provides resources. Seb joins the podcast to discuss how to view the healthcare system from an outsider's perspective, making lifestyle changes, and his 2019 book 'Tipping the Balance'.
Wed, September 30, 2020
EP 47: HDR-UK CEO Caroline Cake: Making the UK a world leader in health data science
Chief Executive Officer of Health Data Research UK Caroline Cake joins Patrick to talk about accelerating medical research through health data science. The two discuss the potential for research and innovation as well as the complexities of issues like patient privacy. Caroline gives Patrick some insight into the history and goals of HDR UK, one of the world’s top institutions for health data science.
Wed, September 16, 2020
EP 46: Rebel Cell: Kat Arney's new book on Cancer, Evolution, and the Science of Life
Kat Arney returns to the podcast to discuss her new book ‘Rebel Cell’, which takes an evolutionary look at cancer. Kat talks about the book beginning as an idea while working on her PhD at Cancer Research UK to spending the last few years researching, conducting interviews and undertaking the book writing process. Patrick and Kat also discuss the narrative of a ‘war on cancer’ and the messaging of ‘beating cancer’ rather than managing it. You can find more information about 'Rebel Cell' and buy it here: https://www.rebelcellbook.com/
Wed, September 02, 2020
EP 45 Steff Di Pardo on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Instagram as a support network for health communities
This week we talk to Steff Di Pardo, a patient advocate and writer who has Ankylosing Spondylitis - which is a chronic autoimmune disease. She talks about the long road to diagnosis, how she started opening up about her condition to friends and family on Facebook, and her decision to bring her refreshing honesty to a wider audience with her blog, Totally Chronic. Steff Di Pardo opens up about her experiences with how her chronic condition has impacted her mental health, being a part of online support networks (on platforms like Instagram) and her new book ‘Just Breathe’ which features short essays on living with a chronic condition.
Wed, August 19, 2020
EP 44 Bringing preventive health to 8 billion people: Peter Würtz from Nightingale Health on their pioneering blood testing platform
We talk to Peter about Nightingale Health's work with the UK Biobank, including recent research that shows their blood test could be used predict severe COVID19 well before onset of symptoms. The company's vision includes not just population-scale research like the UKBiobank, but creating a system that is focused on prevention and early detection rather than treatment.
Wed, August 05, 2020
EP 43 Diversity in clinical research and COVID19's impact on people with immune conditions with Dr Sonya Abraham.
Sonya Abraham is a clinical senior lecturer in rheumatology and a research physician at Imperial College London. We talk to her about BAME representation in clinical research and about her rheumatology research, including the role of the microbiome, and what COVID19 researchers can learn from existing rheumatology research. We talk about why diversity is important in clinical trials, and the COVID19 pandemic's impact in the BAME community. We also discuss with Sonya how people with immune conditions, like Ankylosing Spondylitis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and others are at greater risk from COVID19, and uncertainties around the impact of common drugs on COVID19 severity. Finally, we discuss why drugs that were originally used in rheumatology are now providing effective for COVID19 treatment.
Wed, July 29, 2020
EP 42 Tapoka Mkandawire on the gut microbiome, neglected tropical diseases, and the power of citizen science
Tapoka Mkandawire is a PhD student in parasitology & genomics at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. She studies neglected tropical diseases, which affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide but aren't that well known in the UK. Tapoka talks about what’s causing the reducing rates of these diseases, and what role the gut microbiome plays in parasite life-cycle. From researchers who self-infect themselves with whipworms, to citizen science projects, and the crucial role the gut microbiome plays in everyone’s life.
Sat, July 25, 2020
EP 41 Keith McArthur, the rare disease dad who is re-writing the rules in order to find a cure for his son - Live Podcast
Keith McArthur is one of the parents re-writing the rules for research in rare disease. Keith is CEO of the CureGRIN foundation, a non-profit backed by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative. Keith and his co-founder Denise Rehner believe that patients hold the power to accelerate research and drive progress, and that a cure for GRIN Disorders is possible. Keith is also the host of the podcast Unlocking Bryson's Brain, an award-winning podcast covering the Keith and Laura McArthur's search for the key that could unlock their son Bryson’s brain. Over 8 episodes, the podcast covers, Bryson's birth and diagnosis, gene editing technology like CRISPR, creating a mouse model of Bryson's disease, and a 'pilgrimage' to Boston - the global epicentre of biotechnology and rare disease research. In this live podcast, listeners had the chance to ask Keith their own questions about rare disease life, research, and the future of patient-powered research.
Thu, July 23, 2020
EP 40 Professor Sir Rory Collins on the origins and future of the UKBiobank
Professor Sir Rory Collins, Founder and Chief Executive of the UK Biobank, talks to us this week about the origins of this world-changing project that has catalysed a wave of new discoveries in large part by levelling playing field in data access. In this inspiring conversation Professor Sir Rory Collins describes the 'if you build it, they will come' attitude of the UKBiobank, and how he believes the biggest impact from the UKBiobank is still to come. The conversation finishes with details on their COVID-19 work, which has involved not just members from the original 500,000 strong UKBiobank cohort, but also family members of these participants.
Thu, July 09, 2020
Ep 39 How hundreds of scientists from 50 nations are collaborating on Slack to study genetics & COVID19 with Dr Andrea Ganna
Andrea Ganna has been leading COVID19HG, a worldwide effort to understand the role that our genetics plays in COVID-19 infection and severity. In this episode, we discuss some of the group's findings so far and the origins of this initiative, which has now attracted hundreds of researchers from over 50 nations. Do you enjoy our podcasts? Would you like the chance to listen to them live and ask your own questions to our guest? Next week we're hosting our first ever live podcast, and we're taking registrations now! Find out more here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sC0VSsigQhecZ75loF5HSw
Tue, June 30, 2020
EP 38: Big Data in genomics - why we need 'the cloud' and AI to make sense of it all with Dr Maria Chatzou Dunford
Genomic data, is big data - so how do we actually make sense of this huge amount of data? And why should we use 'the cloud’ to store and analyse it? We discuss how the cloud enables faster, safer, and less expensive genomic data analysis, and what the future could look like when AI is used to analyse the vast amount of human genetic data being generated. In this episode, we talk to Dr Maria Chatzou Dunford, CEO and Co-Founder of LifeBit, a company that wants to democratise analysis of genetic big data. Lifebit's platform allows researchers to analyse existing genetic data without having to copy from its original location, using 'federated data analysis' and the cloud. Lifebit's long-term aim is to not just make accessing and analysing data easier for researchers, but to develop Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools to help researchers make sense of it.
Wed, June 10, 2020
EP 37: The future of medical research post COVID
This episode covers some of the dramatic changes in the field of medical research as a result of COVID19 making it unsafe for people to visit medical research facilities, and medical professional's time and efforts being redirected to fighting the new virus. The guests on the podcast are Paul Wicks, a digital health consultant and scientific advisor to Sano Genetics as well as several other digital health companies. Paul was previously the VP of Innovation at PatientsLikeMe, one of the worlds largest patient social networks and one of the first large-scale platforms for patients to share knowledge and connect with one another, and a pioneer in digital medical research. Paul was previously on the podcast on episode 22 in October 2019 "Behind every data point is a patient". The second guest is Liam Eves, who is also part of the Sano team and has worked in medical research and life sciences for about 15 years working in a number of different parts of the clinical trial ecosystem including at CROs, site management companies, and startup companies innovating in remote clinical trials. Liam is experienced in virology clinical trials, and explains how a typical trial is conducted and some of the challenges with COVID19.
Wed, May 27, 2020
EP 36: Genomics England CEO Chris Wigley & Clinical Lead Richard Scott: sequencing 35,000 people with COVID19, the future of genomic medicine, and why patients are their 'north star'
Why do some people have a severe response to COVID-19, and others seem to have no symptoms at all? Is the answer in our genes? This week we talk to Chris Wigley, the CEO of Genomics England and Interim SRO for Data-NHSX, and Dr Richard Scott, the clinical lead for rare disease at Genomics England and consultant clinical geneticist at Great Ormond Street. Genomics England has led the UK into a new world of medicine with genetic sequencing, and it’s only just starting. Today, we’re focusing on the recently announced large scale human genome sequencing project launched by Genomics England in regards to COVID-19. From understanding individual response and drug development, listen to what Genomics England are hoping to understand about COVID-19. If you would like to volunteer for Genomics England's study on COVID19, sign up here: https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/covid-19/
Wed, May 13, 2020
EP 35: 8 weeks in - what it’s like to have COVID-19 with Adelina Chalmers
This week we talk about COVID19 and what it’s really like to have the virus. Talking to Adelina Chalmers, who first started experiencing symptoms 8 weeks ago - and was admitted to the hospital 6 weeks ago - talks about how it has been mis-sold as being just like the flu. Adelina is a podcaster and runs a consultancy called ‘The Geek Whisperer’ which helps engineers and their managers communicate with each other. Going through day by day symptoms, Adelina tells us how symptoms are non linear, and how it got worse just as it seemed like she was getting better. This episode has great tips, including the importance of recording your symptoms if you start getting sick, because the more data you can give healthcare professionals, the better you can help them guide decision-making. Link mentioned in the Episode about Paul Garner’s experience: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/05/paul-garner-people-who-have-a-more-protracted-illness-need-help-to-understand-and-cope-with-the-constantly-shifting-bizarre-symptoms/
Wed, April 29, 2020
EP 34: 1 in 70 million - conversation with rare disease advocate David Rose
What’s it like having a disease so rare, you’re misdiagnosed? Or you’re the only one in the whole of the UK to have it? David Rose is a rare disease advocate, an ambassador for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and part of the team at Rare Revolution magazine, an online magazine dedicated to rare disease patients and their voices. He’s the only known person in the UK to have occipital horn syndrome and he tells us what it’s like to live with a rare disease - and why we should all be more aware of rare disease as a whole. David and Patrick talk about how others can try to understand rare diseases better, and how anyone can get involved with advocacy work. They also look at the changes people have made due to COVID-19, and how that affects people with rare diseases.
Wed, April 15, 2020
EP 33: Kat Arney on cancer research, epigenetics, and helping launch the ZOE app in the COVID19 crisis
How do you go from a cell to a baby? This question fixated Kat Arney at the beginning of her career, and pushed her towards epigenetics ‘before it was cool’. From travelling the globe asking how genes work, to her upcoming book ‘Rebel Cell’, she discusses the world of genetics. This week, Patrick talks to Kat Arney - a geneticist and science writer demystifies genetics on her fortnightly Genetics Unzipped podcast. They discuss the difference between the male and female response to coronavirus and her work on the COVID19 tracking ZOE app.
Wed, April 01, 2020
EP 32: DNA sequencing to find our roots and solve cold cases, the ethics of DNA databases with Debbie Kennett
Through combining genealogy with DNA testing, more can be discovered about family relationships - making it a powerful tool for reuniting families, and even solving cold cases. This week, Patrick interviews Debbie Kennett - a genetic genealogist at the forefront of the field. Debbie started her search in the early 2000s on a personal mission to learn more about her maiden name (Cruwys) using genealogical tools. From there, her interest in genetic genealogy has grown and she explains this innovative new method to match people. They discuss the rise of DNA databases, how Facebook is a way to find lost family members, and the ethics of using DNA to solve crimes.
Fri, March 20, 2020
EP 31: COVID-19 - the human response to the virus, and what the future may hold with Columbia University Virologist Dr Angela Rasmussen
In this week’s bonus episode we talk to Dr Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen), a Virologist at Columbia University. She answers top questions surrounding COVID-19 and what this outbreak could mean for our future. Does genetics or blood type may affect the virus? How does the virus actually work and how do we test for it? Get a fuller picture of the virus, what we know so far, and how we can prevent this happening again.
Tue, March 17, 2020
EP 30: Patient powered research networks - the future of medical research with Jillian Hastings Ward
Today, Jillian Hastings Ward is a leader in the 100,000 genomes project, but she and her family started off as one of the first families whose DNA was sequenced by the project in 2015. She talks to Patrick about her son, Sam, who was one of the first children in the world to be diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder due to a fault in the GRIN1 gene. They discuss Jillian's vision for the future of 'patient-powered research networks' and the CureGRIN Foundation, which has received funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Thu, March 05, 2020
EP 29: Is breath testing the new frontier in preventive medicine? Conversation with Billy Boyle, Founder and CEO of Owlstone Medical
Early detection for diseases like cancer is important to everyone, but Owlstone Medical is leading the pack by creating a breathalyser that aims to diagnose diseases in the ultimate non-invasive test. Their ground-breaking technology is completely painless and uses breath - not blood - for early detection and diagnosis of disease. Patrick talks to Billy Boyle in this episode about his role as CEO at Owlstone Medical and the reasons behind his drive towards early diagnosis. From cancer detection to the effects of air pollution, the potential future uses for this amazing technology seems unlimited while also removing the fear of most current testing.
Wed, February 19, 2020
EP 28: Drug repurposing for rare disease and the future of health with Dr Bruce Bloom (CCO of Healx) and Dr Mike Tranfaglia (CSO of FRAXA)
In this double-bill episode, Patrick talks to two key rare disease researchers in the field: Dr Bruce Bloom, the CCO of Healx, and Dr Mike Tranfaglia, CSO of FRAXA. In this episode both draw on their wide-ranging personal and professional experiences to discuss the successes and opportunities of drug repurposing, the power of using machine learning, and the work they’ve been doing.
Thu, February 06, 2020
EP 27: From Big Data to New Medicines with Dr Jeff Barrett, CSO of Genomics PLC
Patrick interviews Dr Jeff Barrett from Genomics PLC about how genetic data can be used for drug discovery and the future of precision medicine. In this episode, Dr Barrett talks about going beyond genes to understand how they affect particular genetic risks and conditions. They also discuss the closeness of the genetics community and the sharing spirit when it comes to research.
Thu, January 23, 2020
EP 26: Dr Matt Might: Ultra-rare disease advocate, precision medicine researcher, and Obama advisor
Patrick interviews Dr Matt Might, whose personal and professional life has brought him all the way to advising Obama and setting up his own institute. In this exciting episode, Matt discusses how he went from a computer scientist to becoming significantly involved in rare disease research, despite a lack of academic background in biology.
Tue, December 24, 2019
EP 25: Ethics of DNA Marketplaces and Data Sharing with Dr Mahsa Shabani
Patrick talks to Dr Mahsa Shabani, a researcher at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, University of Leuven. From the golden state killer to blockchain, they discuss the latest ethical issues in genetics. They look at data sharing and involvement of patients in genomics research, and talk about Dr Shabani’s most recent paper, which looks at the ethical concerns with motivations for those who want to make their data available for research. Asking if people are choosing to share their data for financial reasons, is this ethical?
Fri, December 06, 2019
EP 24: Diagnosis to clinical trial in 6 weeks with Gemma Stunt
Dr Patrick Short talks to Gemma Stunt about her son Bertie’s diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, how to get involved in clinical trials and what life is really like with a currently ‘incurable’ genetic condition.
Thu, November 21, 2019
EP 23: Microbiome in birth and health with Dr Yan Shao
Our guest this week is Dr Yan Shao from The Wellcome Sanger Institute, a non-profit British genomics and genetics research institute. In this episode, Dr Shao discusses the findings from his most recent study; where he and his team found significant differences in the microbiomes of newborn babies depending on delivery method.
Tue, October 29, 2019
EP 22: Behind every data point is a person with Dr Paul Wicks
Get to know a little bit more about our new scientific advisor Dr Paul Wicks. Paul has dedicated much of his career to patient-centric research and building patient communities, particularly in rare disease. Paul has spent 17 years in the digital health and online community space, 13 of which were spent as a senior leader at PatientsLikeMe.
Tue, October 08, 2019
EP 21: The Genetics of Alzheimer's with Dash Genomics and HealthLytix
This week on our podcast, we speak to Xing Xu from Dash Genomics and Renee George from HealthLytix about Alzheimer's disease. Dash Genomics has partnered with HealthLytix to produce a new model that helps you understand your individual risk of Alzheimer's disease. All you have to do is upload your DNA data from a consumer DNA test like Ancestry.com or 23andme. They then use research from two major universities to estimate your personalised risk for the condition.
Fri, October 04, 2019
EP 20: Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome with Allison Watson
In this episode Patrick Short speaks with Allison Watson the co-founder and secretary of Ring20 Research and Support UK patient organisation and the co-chair of EpiCARE’s patient advisory group. Allison discusses the Ring Chromosome 20 syndrome and the work of Ring20 Research and Support UK.
Wed, September 25, 2019
EP 19: Dr Patrick Short Discusses the Personalised Genomics Industry
This episode was originally recorded for CUTalks, the podcast of the Cambridge University Technology & Enterprise club. In this podcast, CEO and Co-founder Dr Patrick Short discusses the personalised genomics industry, as well as his journey from PhD to founder and some important lessons he learnt along the way.
Thu, September 19, 2019
EP 18: Elin Haf Davies: How Aparito Uses Wearables & Mobile Apps to Run Patient-Centric Clinical Trials
Our guest this week is Elin Haf Davies, who is the CEO of Aparito - a technology company that focuses on patient-generated health data. Elin is also an inspirational speaker, trans-atlantic rower and pediatric nurse. In this episode we discuss clinical trials, the use of technology in patient-centric studies and the work of Aparito.
Tue, September 10, 2019
EP 17: Genetics News (September 2019)
Last week, the shocking story that sick migrants undergoing lifesaving care can now be deported hit the NY times - but what effect will it have on clinical trials in America? Find out in this episode of our podcast, where we discuss the top four genetic news stories from September 2019. Also featured in this episode: A 500,000 genome wide study into the genetics of homosexuality, the FDA getting stricter on pharmacogenomic tests and new epigenetic signatures in Alzheimers.
Fri, September 06, 2019
EP 16 Policy Development and Patient Engagement for Rare Disease with Alistair Kent
This week on our podcast, we speak to Alastair Kent, a world leader in policy development and patient engagement for rare disease. In this episode, we discuss how research is changing in rare conditions and what part DNA sequencing and data sharing are playing in this.
Fri, August 23, 2019
EP 15 DNA Today host Kira Dineen discusses Genetic Counselling
This week on our podcast we speak to Kira Dineen, a genetic counsellor in training and host of DNA Today. We ask Kira what she’s learned from more than 200 hours of conversation with leading doctors and researchers in genetics, as well as some questions about genetic counselling and her experience. This is part one of a special two-part episode. The other half of the podcast will be featured on DNA Today so make sure you head over to DNA Today for the rest!
Wed, August 21, 2019
EP 14 Genetics News
In this episode, we cover the latest genetics news stories including; 1) 23andMe’s plan to start collecting health data 2) New research that’s sounding alarm bells about the accuracy of genotyping tests 3) The largest-ever study of genetics and PTSD 4) A new $160 million round of funding for a SanFrancisco-based company working on the early detection of cancer 5) A breakthrough cure for another rare disease, amyloidosis, that’s just been approved in the UK
Tue, August 13, 2019
EP 13 How Eurocentricity is holding genetics back with Dr. Alicia Martin
Dr. Alicia Martin, a researcher at the Massachusets General Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, discusses the issues surrounding Eurocentricity in genetics studies.
Tue, August 06, 2019
EP 12 Q&A: Quora's Top Genetics Questions
Dr Patrick Short answers the top genetic questions on quora. Which include: 1) How reliable is the DNA testing offered by sites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe? 2) Does DNA testing for diet and fitness really work? 3) Does 23andMe provide accurate results for people of Indian heritage? 4) How much of the genome does 23andMe sequence? Can their data be used to study disease? 5) How seriously would you take the DNA ancestry and health reports from a place like 23andMe?
Wed, July 31, 2019
EP 11 Neil Bennett, Director of Research at Action Duchenne
We recently held an event bringing together charities and patient registries to help them take the next step in doing genetic research. One of our speakers was Neil Bennett, the Director of Research at Action Duchenne and he discussed how they set up a patient registry as well as their approach to the challenges and opportunities in doing genetic research. Action Duchenne was formed in 2001 and was the first national charity dedicated to supporting those living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Tue, July 23, 2019
EP 10 Eric Topol on how Machine Learning & AI can Contribute to the Future of Healthcare
We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Eric Topol, author of ‘The Patient Will See You Now’ and ‘Deep Medicine’. Eric has had an incredible career which has been largely focused on researching cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, both of which he worked on in the Cleveland Clinic and Scripps Institute. In this episode, we discuss wireless medicine and the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in medicine and healthcare.
Tue, July 16, 2019
EP 9 Conversation with Gencove CEO & Human Genetics Researcher Joe Pickrell
Human Genetics Researcher Joe Pickrell is the CEO of Gencove who offer low-pass sequencing technology which is both cost-efficient and provides highly accurate variant calls across the whole genome. Having trained as a statistical geneticist, Joe discusses his early work with Jonathan Pritchard, developer of Structure and his work at the New York Genome Center to reduce the cost of whole-genome sequencing using computational methods such as imputation. This interesting discussion covers a range of topics from low-pass sequencing to eQTL to the ways in which modern humans are still evolving.
Tue, July 09, 2019
EP 8 Dr Sonya Abraham on biologics, arthritis and the gut microbiome
Sano Genetics CEO Dr Patrick Short interviews Dr Sonya Abraham, a researcher at Imperial College, London who looks at different conditions like arthritis and psoriasis to discuss biological therapies (or biologics) and how the gut microbiome affects these treatments.
Tue, July 02, 2019
EP 7 Impute.me creator Lasse Folkersen discusses his passion project
Lasse Folkersen discusses how he started impute.me as a passion project, out of sheer curiosity to understand his own genes and to help others with the same intention and as a result, he has now sequenced his entire living family. We discuss impute.me’s stance on data privacy where users data is automatically deleted after 14 days as well as the smart way impute.me keeps costs down and keep the platform running solely from donations.
Tue, June 18, 2019
EP 6 The Phlebotomist Depicts a Dystopian Future Governed by DNA Testing
The Phlebotomist is a play written by Ella Road which imagines a future where your genetic rating influences every aspect of your life and is determined through a single blood test. We spoke with Ella to find out about her inspiration and the cross overs between modern day genetic testing and The Phlebotomist. The radio adaptation of The Phlebotomist is available now in the UK on BBC iPlayer.
Tue, June 11, 2019
EP 5 Could Weed Killer Cure This Rare Disease (Alkaptonuria)?
We talk to Nick Sireau (co-founder of Findacure and chairman of the AKU society) about his two sons, who were both born with Alkaptonuria which is an ultra-rare genetic condition that causes the bone's surface to turn black and corrode. Nick has worked tirelessly to help establish a new clinical trial, exploring whether a chemical originally used as a weed killer could provide a treatment for this debilitating condition. So far the signs are very positive, but Nick is currently awaiting the final results which will be disclosed in September.
Thu, May 30, 2019
EP 4 The Genetics of Depression
Dr Cathryn Lewis is a highly regarded Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics at King's College London. Previously in her career Dr Lewis significantly contributed to research on the breast cancer genes BRA1 and BRCA2. She now leads the Statistical Genetics Unit at Kings College London. Dr Lewis joins us for this episode to discuss her latest research and the link between genetics and depression.
Fri, May 17, 2019
EP 3 A Diet Which Helps You Fit in Your Genes
Dr Giles Yeo is a geneticist at the University of Cambridge, a public speaker, TV presenter and the brilliant author behind Gene Eating. We sit down to speak with Giles about how our genetics influence our diet and our behaviour towards food.
Wed, May 08, 2019
EP 2 What One Man Learnt From Over 300 DNA Tests
Is Craig one of the most thoroughly DNA tested people on the planet? Quite possibly, but one thing's for sure, his company (dnatestingchoice.com) know a thing or two about a good DNA test. This fascinating discussion with Craig Macpherson explores the start of direct to consumer DNA testing, why these companies are so successful. As well as his thoughts on ancestry testing, current practices around data privacy and the future of genetic testing.
Fri, May 03, 2019
EP 1: Introducing...The Genetics Podcast!
Welcome to The Genetics Podcast! Since 2019, we've been interviewing researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and experts in the field of genetics, including leaders in the field like Dr Eric Topol, Dr Daphne Koller, Dr Robert Green, Sir Rory Collins. Some of the topics that have been covered in the podcast include the latest developments in genetic research, ethical considerations in genetics, the impact of genetics on personalized medicine, and more. This podcast is for scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone else who wants to go deep into the latest in genomics and precision medicine.
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