Shows
Mendelspod PodcastHow AI Is Doing Science with Vivek Adarsh, CEO of MithrlWhat used to take months of bioinformatics analysis can now happen in minutes—and with greater biological insight than ever before. In this episode, Theral Timpson sits down with Vivek Adarsh, co-founder and CEO of Mithrl, an “AI science” company that’s bringing the power of vertical AI to the lab bench.Adarsh began his career at Nvidia, long before the company became synonymous with AI. “What I learned there,” he recalls, “was that when you build a team around exceptional talent, deep passion, and empathy—especially empathy for your customers—everything else flows from that.” That lesson guides how Mi...
2025-11-1832 min
Mendelspod PodcastFrom DNA to Proteins: Illumina Makes Its Proteomics Play - with Krishna MorampudiIllumina has just made a bold move into proteomics.In this episode of Mendelspod, Krishna Morampudi, Associate Director for Product Management at Illumina, joins Theral to talk about the company’s recent definitive agreement to acquire SomaLogic and the new launch of Illumina Protein Prep, their new end-to-end proteomics solution.0:00 On the acquisition of SomaLogic4:30 Scoop: Illuminated Protein Prep just launched8:00 Competitive edge14:15 The larger multi-omics visionIllumina’s new product can screen for 9,500 proteins using SomaLogic’s SOMAmer technology, with sequencing on NovaSeq and data processed throug...
2025-10-2116 min
Mendelspod PodcastAmplifying the Expert: Jing Gao on Illumina's Connected InsightsIllumina’s new interpretation software, Illumina Connected Insights, signals a turning point in oncology genomics—where sequencing power meets end-to-end clinical utility. On this episode of Mendelspod, host Theral Timpson sits down with Jing Gao, VP of Software Engineering at Illumina, to explore how the company is extending its leadership from sequencers to software.“We’ve moved from offering modular tools to building full-stack solutions,” Jing explains. “Connected Insights is about taking raw genomic data and delivering meaningful answers—quickly and consistently.”* 0:00 With Connected Insights, Illumina now has end-to-end support* 4:30 What’s your niche in oncology...
2025-07-3024 min
Mendelspod PodcastHow Liquid Biopsy Is Becoming Standard of Care with Rita Shaknovich, CMO, AgilentIn this episode of Mendelspod, Theral welcomes Dr. Rita Shaknovich, Chief Medical Officer in Agilent’s Life Sciences and Diagnostics group, for a high-level and deeply insightful look at where liquid biopsy technology stands today.With her background in hematopathology and molecular diagnostics, Rita brings clarity to a field that has long promised transformation—and is now delivering. “It’s not the future anymore. It’s actually here,” she says. Liquid biopsy has moved beyond the buzzword phase and is increasingly integrated into both clinical trials and standard care for cancers like non-small cell lung cancer.We talk ab...
2025-07-2326 min
Mendelspod PodcastTracking GMOs in the Gene Editing Era: Frédéric Debode on the Science of GMO DetectionIn this episode of Mendelspod, Theral speaks with Frédéric Debode, Scientific Director at CRA-W in Wallonia, Belgium, about the evolving landscape of GMO detection in the age of gene editing. From early work in real-time PCR to the latest in next-gen sequencing and target enrichment, Debode has been on the front lines of tracking genetically modified organisms—often when the modifications leave almost no trace.What’s at stake? In Europe, labeling GMOs is not just a policy—it’s the law. Debode emphasizes that public trust hinges on scientific transparency: “Thanks to correct labeling, people can c...
2025-07-1727 min
Mendelspod PodcastTagomics Wins NHS Grant, Unveils De-Methylation Platform for Early Cancer Testing with Rob Neely, CSOThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comIn this episode of Mendelspod, Theral sits down with Rob Neely, co-founder and CSO at Tagomics, to discuss how his company is fusing genomics, epigenomics, and fragmentomics into a single, assumption-free assay for early cancer detection. The conversation begins with breaking news: Tagomics has just received a new grant from the UK’s Innovation Agency a…
2025-07-0104 min
Mendelspod PodcastCan Math and AI Replace Some Biology in Drug Discovery? with Aridni Shah, Immunito AIWhat if drug design didn’t depend on pre-existing biological data? In this episode of Mendelspod, Theral sits down with Aridni Shah, co-founder and CEO of Immunito AI, a Bengaluru-based biotech startup reinventing how we develop antibody therapies. Shah and her team are using artificial intelligence to design antibodies from scratch, bypassing traditional animal-based and data-heavy methods. “We no longer need to rely on pre-existing data,” she explains. “We’ve gone to the fundamental atomic level and learned basic physics, chemistry, and maths—why do two proteins interact?”* 0:00 Discovering new antibodies without relying on biological processes
2025-05-1521 min
Mendelspod PodcastQuantum Scale: A New Era for Single-Cell Analysis with Giovanna ProutThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comOn today’s episode of Mendelspod, Theral sits down with Giovanna Prout, CEO of Scale Biosciences, to explore a how the company is achieving new orders of magnitude of scale in the single cell space."In the past, single cell was one cell per well—maybe 96 cells per experiment," Prout explains. "Now, with our Quantum Scale platform, we can scale from 85,…
2025-05-0804 min
Mendelspod PodcastAI’s Quiet Revolution in the Pharma Supply Chain with Chris Petersen, Scientist.comIn today’s show, Theral is joined by Chris Petersen, Chief Technology Officer at Scientist.com, a company sometimes called the "Amazon for science"—though with a great deal more complexity. Chris pulls back the curtain on how AI is transforming the research services marketplace and offers a rare look into how AI is already reshaping the infrastructure of pharma and biotech.Calling this the "tinkering phase" of AI, Chris likens the current moment to the early days of the web—when best practices were still forming and every developer had to invent their own solutions. “It’s one of t...
2025-04-1726 min
Mendelspod PodcastAaron Viny: A 21-Year Leukemia Survivor on the Frontlines of Epigenetic Cancer ResearchDr. Aaron Viny, oncologist and researcher at Columbia University, begins today’s conversation with a personal milestone—he’s now been leukemia-free for 21 years. This experience gives his work on cancer a powerful human dimension that comes through in his interview with Theral today—not only in his dedication to patient care, but in his boundary-pushing research on the epigenetic roots of cancer.Dr. Viny’s research focuses on the epigenetic architecture of hematologic malignancies, exploring how errors in chromatin structure—not just mutations in DNA—can lead to cancer. “Cancer, at its root, is often a disease of dysre...
2025-04-1040 min
Mendelspod PodcastSynthetic Biology Ready for Its ChatGPT Moment: A Preview of SynBioBeta 2025 with John CumbersJohn Cumbers, founder of SynBioBeta, joins Theral for our annual look ahead at the field of synthetic biology and the upcoming SynBioBeta 2025 conference, happening May 6–9 in San Jose. It's obviously a big year for AI, and synthetic biology is no exception. As John puts it, “Biology and AI coming together represents a huge opportunity for us to be able to understand biology and then ultimately engineer biology.” This year’s conference features a strong emphasis on AI's role in scaling and accelerating biological engineering, from foundational research to applied biotechnology.While synthetic biology is full of exciting opportun...
2025-04-0137 min
Mendelspod PodcastBeyond the Parts List: Chris Mason and Simon Fredriksson on Mapping the Immune System in Space and Cancer with Cell Surface ProteomicsToday Theral is joined by returning guests Chris Mason of Weill Cornell Medicine and Simon Fredriksson, CEO of Pixelgen Technologies, for a deep dive into the emerging field of cell surface proteomics and its power to illuminate both space biology and cancer research.Chris Mason shares new insights from his work on the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), the largest collection of astronaut health data to date. His latest findings confirm that space is more than a hostile environment—it’s a revealing one. Space is a kind of alternate reality that lets us test fundamental ques...
2025-03-2724 min
Mendelspod Podcast"They're not cutting a branch. They're cutting the whole tree." Laura Hercher Defends DEI in Genomic Research and MedicineToday Theral talks with Laura Hercher, Director of Research for Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College, about the growing political assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in scientific research. With the NIH facing sweeping budget cuts and DEI programs cancelled, Hercher makes a compelling case for why diversity isn’t just a social or moral issue—but a scientific imperative."What you're cutting is cancer funding. What you're cutting is Alzheimer's research. What you're cutting is funding for sick kids," Hercher warns, pushing back against the rhetoric that frames these cuts as mere "overhead reductions."
2025-02-1040 min
Mendelspod PodcastBig RNA with Brendan Frey of Deep GenomicsThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comIn our first conversation with Deep Genomics, Theral sits down with Brendan Frey, the company's founder and Chief Innovation Officer, to explore the power of AI in RNA biology and drug discovery. Frey, a pioneer in deep learning who trained in the lab of AI luminary Geoffrey Hinton, shares how his personal experience in genetics back in 2002 led him to merge machine learning with genomic medicine. The company has a head start.In the past year, Deep Genomics has...
2025-01-3006 min
Mendelspod PodcastGenome Informatics in the Age of AI With Ben Busby, DNAnexusIn this Mendelspod episode, Theral explores the state of genome informatics with Ben Busby, principal scientist at DNAnexus.Busby reflects on his journey into the field, which was influenced by key projects and experiences during his time at the NCBI and his genomics hackathons. He outlines the current genome informatics landscape, emphasizing DNAnexus' role in fostering collaboration. Busby highlights transformative movements to refine disease subtyping based on haplotype data, underscoring their potential to reshape diagnostics and research.As for the use of the new generative AI in bioinformatics, Busby says, "It is not super good...
2025-01-2331 min
Mendelspod PodcastNew Startup Launches Epigenetic Screening: Mohamad Takwa, CEO, EpigenicaThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comIn this episode of Mendelspod, Theral sits down with Dr. Mohamad Takwa, co-founder and CEO of Epigenica, a Swedish startup revolutionizing epigenetic research. Epigenica is positioning itself at the forefront of this new and rapidly growing field with a mission to empower researchers through large-scale epigenetic profiling.
2024-12-0504 min
Mendelspod PodcastAI Powered Multiomics: Joachim Schmid on Data Analysis at IlluminaComing from the field of digital pathology, Joachim Schmid has a unique perspective on the evolution of multi-omics. Schmid was recently appointed as Vice President of Multiomics Data Solutions at Illumina.In this episode, Theral dives into the burgeoning field of multi-omics—integrating data from various omic layers such as genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics—and the massive data challenges that come with it. Schmid discusses how sequencing costs are plummeting, leading to an explosion in multi-omics applications. Yet, with all the data being generated, biologists often lack the computational background to make sense of it. Schmid highlights Illumina's acquisition of Par...
2024-11-2123 min
Mendelspod PodcastRenowned GI Oncologist Discusses MRD Testing and the Future of Cancer DetectionDr. Mark Lewis is a well known GI oncologist at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gifted with a passionate communication style, he has over 93,000 Twitter followers. Next month, he will live-tweet his upcoming colonoscopy. In this episode, Dr. Lewis joins Theral in our ongoing series on minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, a revolutionary blood test that is helping detect residual cancer causing a paradigm shift in patient management.Dr. Lewis belongs to a pioneering group that allows oncologists to specialize in a single cancer type. He says MRD testing has transformed his own p...
2024-11-1434 min
Mendelspod PodcastPrecision Medicine Then and Now: We Talk with the Retiring President of the Personalized Medicine Coalition, Ed AbrahamsWhen Bill Clinton announced the sequencing of the human genome in 2000, the New York Times ran the following headline on the front page: "Genetic Code of Human Life is Cracked By Scientists.”We’re still living up to that headline.Ed Abrahams has led the Personalized Medicine Coalition (PMC) for twenty years. Before his retirement in December, we asked him to join us to reflect on his tenure and take stock of the field. PMC was established as a “catalyst” and organizer to bring the various stakeholders in personalized medicine together and do the human work that science...
2024-11-1228 min
Mendelspod PodcastMicroRNA: A New Era in Biomarker Discovery with Tim Williams and Paola UliviIn this episode, Theral delves into the groundbreaking role of microRNA as a cancer biomarker with Tim Williams, professor of clinical pathology at the University of Cambridge Veterinary School, and Paola Ulivi, a leading researcher at the Instituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori Dino Amadori (IRST) in Italy. MicroRNA, which recently garnered its discoverers a Nobel Prize, has emerged as a powerful tool for detecting and tracking cancer progression.Williams and Ulivi share their latest research, highlighting how microRNA’s rise in cancer diagnostics parallels the evolution of fragmentomics, which analyzes cell-free and circulating tumor DNA. We...
2024-11-0731 min
Mendelspod PodcastExploring the Future of Single Cell Technology with Mauro Muraro, CEO, Single Cell DiscoveriesHuman genomics is complex. With new, scalable tools, we are unraveling that complexity. For example, we don’t just each have one genome; we have trillions, as each cell has a unique genome. Analyzing biology at the single-cell level continues to be one of the major frontiers in research.To learn how Single Cell Discoveries (SCD), a contract research organization in Utrecht, the Netherlands, has scaled and innovated in this field, Theral sits down with Mauro Muraro, cofounder and CEO of SCD. Muraro discusses the company's origins as a small university lab and its rapid growth due to...
2024-10-2931 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonWhy Have Your Genome Sequenced? with Kian Sadeghi, Nucleus GenomicsTheral is joined today by the founder and CEO of Nucleus, a company which began offering whole genome sequencing to everyone for $400 earlier this year. Why should you have your genome sequenced? For that matter, what is your genome, and what is “sequenced?”Kian is a young founder who became passionate about genetics when his cousin suddenly died, and it was later revealed by her doctor that knowing about her genome could very well have saved her.Theral shares his own results from the Nucleus test today, exploring what he learned from his geno...
2024-10-2643 min
Mendelspod PodcastGrail and Verily Alum on Billion Dollar Startup Bringing AI to Drug Development: A Discussion with Vik BajajVik Bajaj is bullish on genomics in the age of artificial intelligence. A pioneering figure in biotech—co-founder of Verily and Grail—Bajaj now leads Xaira Therapeutics, where he's exploring how AI can revolutionize drug development. In today’s episode, he joins Theral to break down how the intersection of AI and genomics is unlocking new possibilities in drug development, with the potential to accelerate every stage of drug discovery.Bajaj explains that at Xaira, machine learning and advanced modeling enable drug development to happen almost entirely in silico. By simulating biological systems and predicting drug interactions, AI could...
2024-10-1745 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonDo Polygamists Have Minority Status in America? with Shirlee Draper, Former FLDS MemberHow do you define minority in the political sense? Is it merely a group with fewer than half the population? Are polygamists minorities in America beyond the simple math with all that the political term confers?Shirlee Draper is a former member of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints community. When the group was taken over by Warren Jeffs, now jailed for life, she bailed. It wasn’t easy. She says that she wanted to leave the community for six years, but it was less friendly out “with the majority.” Shirlee and Theral come from the same town on the Utah—Arizona border...
2024-05-1049 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonThe Challenge of Expressive Performance in AI Music with Richard TimpsonThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.fivewiththeral.comThere is nothing more human than the creation and appreciation of music, says today’s guest, Richard Timpson. A few years ago, as part of his undergraduate degree, he wrote a thesis entitled Modeling Expressive Musical Performance with Transformers. Today, Richard is a software engineer working at Salesforce with a passionate interest in AI music generation. He also happens to be Theral's nephew.
2024-04-0505 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonChum Chats: Sean TanameraTheral pushes “record” during another chat with friend Sean Tanamera. From current events to rapping ancient poetry, relax to the rhythm of amicable conversation.Special Offer from the Sponsor: Let’s face it, after a night with drinks, I don’t bounce back the next day like I used to. I have to make a choice: I can either have a great night OR a great next day. That is until I came across Zack and his genetically engineered probiotic. ZBiotics is offering the Mendelspod audience 15% off your first order. Click here and use discount code “THE...
2024-02-1530 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonIn the Vineyard with Winemaker John DelaneyChapters:0:00 Malvasia Blanc, a winner in this year’s harvest. How do you choose varietals?8:20 What is the diurnal shift?13:35 Why single varietals?17:20 Today’s trends22:15 Wine for Thanksgiving?Southern Utah is home to some of the nation’s choice national and state parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyons. But there are more than park trails. The region now boasts one of America’s newest wine trails.For our pre-Thanksgiving show, we’re coming to you from the Bold and Delaney Vineyard in Dammeron Valley just outsi...
2023-11-1624 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonThe Art of Friendly Conversation with Sean TanamaraThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.fivewiththeral.comChapters:0:00 Natural kinds15:30 Generative AI22:15 Our sponsors29:00 TiktokHost Theral Timpson and guest Sean Tanamara explore their friendship in a conversation about philosophy and current trends.Five O'Clock with Theral Timpson is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid…
2023-10-2704 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonZack Abbott on GMOs and ZBiotics' Solution to Tough Mornings after DrinkingChapters: 0:00 Hangover biology8:12 Concern over GMOs: what is “natural?”26:36 The age of synthetic biology33:20 Who’s making the decision: me or my microbes?Many of us enjoy a glass of wine over dinner. Sometimes two. Sometimes more. And we all have our own hangover cures. Lots of water. Some folks say salt helps if you have a headache. Zack Abbott is a scientist entrepreneur and CEO of ZBiotics, a company making a genetically engineered remedy for the common hangover. Most of the toxic acetaldehyde that comes from alcohol is processed by the liver. But some of it goes to th...
2023-10-0440 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonGenomicist Nathan Pearson on Ancestry, Racism, and Animal MindsChapters:0:00 On DNA . . .10:45 The human mosaic: We’re all cousins20:25 Days of COVID - A scientist looks inward30:05 Lab leak? The issue of biosecurity43:52 Why do we humans resist knowledge?52:15 Ancestry and racism1:02:45 Root is bringing genetic insights for free1:08:55 Umfeld: Animals and consciousnessToday I’m pleased to welcome a friend to the show, someone who has been a podcast guest of mine many times. For five years we did a monthly show together. Nathan Pearson is the CEO of a genetic testing company, Root. He’s also a brilliant scientist who I admire and respect.Nathan has...
2023-09-081h 35
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonChef Sean Sherman on the Rebirth of Native American CuisineChapters:0:00 Why not more Native American restaurants?4:48 True wild rice, elk, bison, and Owamni’s menu9:27 "Control the food, control the people”—Henry Kissinger13:00 Not just food, but knowledge of food16:40 Engaging with modern capitalism to preserve ancient wisdom25:22 Is there support in the Native American community?27:35 "Be aware of the land."Why aren’t there more Native American restaurants around the country? When you visit a big city, even a small city, you are treated to a wide variety of cuisines in America: Italian, Chinese, French, German, Thai. When was the last time you had Native American cuisine?Sean S...
2023-08-0831 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonHow Much Do Our Genes Determine Our Health? Howard McLeod on the Rising Impact of Genomic Research on MedicineChapters:0:00 Why Southern Utah?5:00 How is genomics changing medicine?11:03 New genomics center at Utah Tech17:37 When should one get pharmacogenetics testing?25:10 Impact on cancer care33:32 Early cancer detection36:42 What about diabetes and cardiology?42:17 The future of genomicsMost of us have family and friends who have died from cancer. We also know many who survive it. Whenever there is a cancer diagnosis, we are left asking why. Is it lifestyle, is it family inheritance, or is it random mutations in the genes? In fact, the study of our DNA is revolutionizing cancer treatment. Since sequencing the human ge...
2023-07-2750 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonRepublicans Call Democrats Marxists, But Who Really Was Marx? We Ask His Biographer, Jonathan SperberChapters:0:00 Marx is not our contemporary, but from a past world that no longer exists10:52 Two personal losses that shape the young Marx17:35 The early journalist who writes against communism21:45 In Paris, the communist is born24:30 Finding "the proletariat"31:00 Have Marx’s ideas had staying power?34:15 Pushing back on historicism37:13 Marx in today’s politics43:50 What to read?Is Marx relevant today? Our guest on today’s show says Marx was a product of the 19th century and not much mo...
2023-07-1148 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonRobert Greenberg on the Story Behind Tchaikovsky's Violin ConcertoChapters:0:00 The story behind Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto: fearing his homosexuality10:30 Do we let artists off the hook?17:55 Are there Tchaikovskys around today?27:45 Classical music was written by people like us - it’s for everyone33:30 How does great music stop us in our tracks?Welcome to our first episode of the Five O’Clock Podcast. I’m your host, Theral Timpson, and I'm delighted to share this journey with you. Music has the ability to stop us in our tracks, whatever we might be doing. A while ago...
2023-06-2237 min
Mendelspod PodcastJohn Greally on His Latest Review of EpigenomicsEditor's Note: Theral's mic malfunctioned in this interview. Fortunately the not as good backup mic did work and John has a good mic. Our apologies.John Greally joins us today. He is the founding Director of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Center for Epigenomics. He’s a pediatrician and a clinical geneticist with appointments in both at Einstein. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2023-02-2345 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Future of Big Biology: Bionano at AGBTMendelspod was live this week at AGBT 2021 where Theral interviewed CEO Erik Holmlin and CMO Alka Chaubey of Bionano Genomics on Tuesday. The topic was the future of big biology. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2021-03-0455 min
Mendelspod PodcastMapping Intracellular Context: Garry Nolan on Spatial BiologyFirst it was all about biomarkers. Then panels of biomarkers. But biology is complicated. Why does one patient respond to an immuno therapy when another which shares the same biomarker does not?Welcome to the age of spatial biology.Garry Nolan joins us today. He's a professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford who's career has been a journey of seeing intracellular happenings more and more in context. Check out this cool analogy from a new paper his lab put out in Cell. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...
2020-09-0929 min
Mendelspod PodcastAugust 2020 Review: Radical Shift on LDT Policy, First Pan-Cancer Liquid Biopsies, and New Alzheimer’s TestAfter a long break, the world's first genomics pundits are back for the season. And they are calm and collected in the face of the strorm on Pennsylvania Ave. We're sixty days from an election. How serious should we be taking politicization of the COVID vaccine, this radical shift on LDTs at the FDA?We also discuss some regular approvals and on rejection that sent the industry reeling with disappointment. Then it's on to Laura's, Nathan's, and Theral's picks for science of the month.Welcome back! This is a public episode. If you'd like...
2020-09-0144 min
Mendelspod PodcastUsing CRISPR Genome Editing Tools, Willow Biosciences out with First Synthetic CannabinoidWe see this new ingredient appearing advertised and in products everywhere. On the billboards, in the new shops next to our favorite restaurant, on the counters at the barbershop and when we pick up our prescriptions at the pharmacy.C-B-D.It has to do with the ongoing revolution that’s happening around the country—around the world—regarding the deregulation of marijuana. But there’s another revolution that will change our consumption of cannabinoids. That of synthetic biology. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t...
2020-08-2627 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Pros and Cons of Expanded Carrier Screening with Mary Norton, UCSFMary Norton is a perinatologist and clinical geneticist at UCSF who says that in the age when we are diagnosing ever more rare diseases, adding to the carrier screening panel can be a good thing, but it’s complicated.But it can be a good thing.But it’s complicated. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-06-1629 min
Mendelspod PodcastIs This A Unique Time for Science? We Ask Sci-fi Writer Kim Stanley RobinsonHas this pandemic presented a unique moment for science in our history? Or is it just a strange and temporary moment of science fiction? Or both?Sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson (The Mars Trilogy, The Ministry of the Future) recently penned an essay in the New Yorker about how the virus has “changed our imaginations” and created a new “structure of feeling.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-06-1347 min
Mendelspod PodcastMay 2020 with Nathan and Laura: Vaccine News, Notre Dame Argument, COVID Genetic TargetsHappy summertime! We had positive news this month about an mRNA vaccine from Moderna. We also saw how during a pandemic, the process of science is especially abnormal. Nathan says let's be happy about the good news. Laura's ringing with alarm bells, sensing conflicts of interest right and left. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-06-0155 min
Mendelspod PodcastMatt Loose on "Read Until" or Adaptive SequencingBack before the world turned upside down, you know, all those years ago--early this February--a paper popped up on bioRxiv called, “Nanopore adaptive sequencing for mixed samples, whole exome capture and targeted panels." It’s an interesting paper.In the paper, the authors, led by Matt Loose from the DeepSeq lab at the University of Nottingham, describe a method unique to nanopore sequencing where one can do "selective sequencing of single molecules in real time by individually reversing the voltage across specific nanopores.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscr...
2020-05-2836 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Current State of Coronavirus Vaccines with Jeff Stein, Cidara TherapeuticsWhat is the key to getting a coronavirus vaccine? “Manufacturing,” says today’s guest, Jeff Stein of Cidara Therapeutics.Jeff joined us just last fall to talk about his company’s exciting new technology, an immunotherapy, that is a universal flu preventative and therapy. Yes, you read that right. A universal flu preventative. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-05-2133 min
Mendelspod PodcastApril 2020 Review with Nathan and Laura: Ioannidis Scandal, Antibody Testing, Ethics QuestionsOur commentators, Nathan Pearson of Root and Laura Hercher of Sarah Laurence College, join us to look back on month two of the first modern pandemic.We begin with a scandal that rocked the Twitter science community and talk about how science itself may be having a big moment. Will this be a silver lining for this strange year?Then it’s on to antibody testing. What would a good antibody test need to do? And will there be tough ethical questions when some “have their immunity papers” and go back to work while others do not?
2020-05-0147 min
Mendelspod PodcastLab Director Speaks to the Challenges of COVID-19 Testing: Elaine Lyon, HudsonAlphaWhy have diagnostic tests for the Coronavirus been slow on the scene? What have been the challenges for lab directors? Were they scientific? Were they regulatory? Were they scaling challenges? Are they still scaling challenges? Supply chain problems?Elaine Lyon worked for many years at the molecular genetics lab at ARUP at the University of Utah and is now the Clinical Services Lab Director at Hudson Alpha. In both of these jobs she has designed and overseen the design of many diagnostic tests. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other...
2020-04-1429 min
Mendelspod PodcastFDA in the Time of Coronavirus: Understanding the New VALID Act with Turna Ray, GenomeWebAfter the virus reached American shores, was the FDA quick enough to allow companies and labs to develop their own tests without restrictive oversight? The question sparked a sweeping new bill in congress, the VALID Act that could overhaul FDA oversight of diagnostics altogether—something that has been clamored for for a generation.Turna Ray has been covering the FDA and diagnostics for GenomeWeb since 2006. She has recently written a piece on the new VALID Act that includes responses from various members of the community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wi...
2020-04-0731 min
Mendelspod PodcastMarch 2020 Review with Nathan & Laura: Corona Gets Personal, Where Are the Tests?, the VALID Act, Some non-Corona ScienceLaura comes to us from her flat in New York, Nathan is stuck in San Diego, but they are here and ready to discuss what a month ago was a warning and now is a full blown world crisis. What have they faced personally? What are their thoughts on testing? And what are some of their early big picture reactions as to how this will all go down?We make some time for some Corona-free science as well. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
2020-04-0253 min
Mendelspod Podcast90% Go Undiagnosed, Says Geisinger’s Amy Sturm of FH PatientsMore than one in two hundred people have an inherited form of heart disease. But most don’t know it.Often on Mendelspod we talk about cancer genomics, but in the area of cardio, too, genetic testing can save lives.Amy Sturm is the Director of Genomic Counseling and Screening Program at Geisinger Health Systems. There she has led the effort to return the results of cardio genetic tests to over 1,000 patients. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.me...
2020-03-2635 min
Mendelspod PodcastLisa Alderson on Her Telegenetics Firm, Genome Medical, Also Speaks to the DTC DownturnLisa Alderson has been helping to build genetic testing companies for a while. In 2016 she co-founded her own company, Genome Medical, a tele-genomics firm to help patients and providers understand genetic testing results.Anyone in the genetic testing industry will know that Genome Medical’s offering addresses a burning need. As Lisa remarks in today’s show, genetics is complicated. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-03-1039 min
Mendelspod PodcastFebruary 2020 Review with Nathan and Laura: Coronavirus, Medicare for All, and Live from AGBTWhat do we actually know about the novel coronavirus, we ask our two monthly commentators at the outset of February’s review show. Then, speaking of pandemics, as Bernie fever sweeps America, we explore the charge that Medicare for All means an end to innovation.Laura gives an update on the status of the genetic counseling bill, and Nathan comes to us live from AGBT with highlights from Marco Island. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-02-281h 01
Mendelspod PodcastPouria Sanae on the DTC Slowdown and His New Precision Health Testing Platform“To be fully honest, I think some of these tests are scary tests. I’ve had the luxury of testing myself . . . some of this needs to have the physician and the genetic counselor involved.”That’s Pouria Sanae, a newcomer to our field via Yahoo and Helix. He’s also a Swede which gives him a fresh perspective on American genomic culture. Last month Pouria and his co-founders launched ixlayer, a new platform that integrates many of the players in the genomic medicine space: DTC companies, clinical labs, and physician/providers. This is a public episode. If you'd l...
2020-02-1324 min
Mendelspod PodcastJanuary 2020 Review: Genetic Counselors vs ACMG, 23andMe Layoffs, Privacy23andMe lays off over 100 employees. Illumina comes to the JP Morgan empty-handed. Has Precision Medicine seen it’s heyday already? Or are we gearing up for another wave of innovation? Nathan and Laura are again ready for the tough questions of genomics.We begin with the current spat between genetic counselors and the ACMG. Like, . . . huh? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2020-01-3150 min
Mendelspod PodcastEnd-of-Decade Review, What's Next? with Nathan and LauraIt's our special look back over the entire decade which has Nathan and Laura firing on all fours. Not only do we discover their genomic highlights of the last ten years--ups and downs-- they also pull out their special "future glasses" and come up with a provocative list for the next ten. You don't want to miss this.But first, we do cover December and that kerfuffle over the George Church dating app. And the genomics of income--really? Did you go for that?Theral, Nathan, and Laura for an extended broadcast. Happy 2020! This is...
2019-12-271h 07
Mendelspod PodcastEwan Birney on Race, UK GenomicsOur end-of-year special guest is one of the U.K.’s top genomicists, Ewan Birney, Co-Director of the European Bioinformatics Institute at EMBL. He is also the non-Executive Director for Genomics England. Ewan's perhaps best known for his work with the ENCODE consortium. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-12-1750 min
Mendelspod PodcastNovember 2019 with Nathan and Laura: Happy Birthday CRISPR Babies, 23andMe for Embryo Selection, and Golden Rice, AlmostThe gene edited babies, Lulu and Nana, turn one. Laura Hercher says it feels like it’s been five years. Nathan says, “Happy Birthday.”Along with our genomics headline party this month, we also discuss a comment that came in from our last show which leads us to the question, can we discuss science without discussing politics?It’s Nathan, Laura and Theral for almost a full hour sifting through November’s news. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendel...
2019-12-0250 min
Mendelspod PodcastLearning from the Field's Mistakes, Ancestry.com Rolls out Physician Ordered Health TestingJust in time for Black Friday, Ancestry.com has launched new health testing. Thanksgiving week (the company calls the shopping holidays the “Turkey Five”) has been kind to what is the largest DNA testing company in the world. Back in 2017, their ancestry test competed with the Instapot for Amazon’s top sellers on the biggest shopping day of the year. To date Ancestry has sold over 15 million DNA tests. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-11-2632 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Gene Edited Babies Saga - A Year Later with Hank GreelyOn November 25th, 2018, the world was shocked to find out a Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, had edited the germline of twin girls-and the twins had been born. Many in the scientific community remember that Sunday afternoon well as the story broke on MIT's Tech Review, "EXCLUSIVE: Chinese scientists are creating CRISPR babies."Today’s guest can even tell you what he had for dinner that Sunday and just what was his reaction. "Holy S**t!" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ww...
2019-11-2244 min
Mendelspod PodcastImproving Quantitative Evidence for Genetic Tests: Carlos Araya, InvitaeWarning: the first part of this story can sound quite typical. Three co-founders with backgrounds in genomics and AI found a Stanford spinout. Their goal: to bring the tools of AI and computational modeling to unlock the medical secrets of the genome and deliver those to patients. They call this company, Jungla—Spanish for “jungle”—naming not only their adventure, but the whole problem. Then things get interesting. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-11-1431 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Meteoric Rise of Twist Bioscience and the Wild Demand for DNA: Emily Leproust, CEOIn 2013 Twist Bioscience was a newcomer to a market that most of us thought was saturated, cornered, commoditized—that of synthetic DNA. But Emily Leproust and her co-founders saw something different. They saw "a big market with unhappy customers.” Today, with a radically disruptive technology, they are market dominant. Twist is a publicly traded company whose stock has doubled already once since they IPOd last year. Imagine, a DNA synthesis company going public! And then seeing their stock perform so well. This is tricky for the most hyped of tech or biotech startups. This is a public episode. If y...
2019-11-0733 min
Mendelspod PodcastOctober 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Prime Editing, Vertex Win, and ASHGOur Halloween show this year summarizing October’s genomics news has more tricks and treats than spooks and scares. It’s Nathan and Laura back to sift through a big month of happenings from the cool CRISPR upgrade to Inscripta’s bold move in gene editing to Ancestry.com’s shift into health testing.It’s all here, right now, on Mendelspod. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-11-0159 min
Mendelspod PodcastShould We Increase Panel Testing for All Breast Cancer Patients?It’s a hot question in the field today. Recently several studies arguing for increased testing for all breast cancer patients have been published in leading oncology journals.Peter Beitsch is a breast cancer surgeon in Dallas Texas and co-author of one such study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He says that NCCN guidelines were created when tests were much more expensive and in an outdated context and that many patients are going under-diagnosed today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vi...
2019-10-2442 min
Mendelspod PodcastGenomics Going from a Passive to an Active Science: John Stuelpnagel on the “Write” RevolutionNot many people have had quite the same view on the genomics revolution as John Stuelpnagel. He co-founded Illumina, Ariosa, and Fabric Genomics (formerly Omicia). And he’s the Chairman of Fabric, 10X Genomics, and Inscripta. And not all had the foresight John did that biology would turn out to be so complex.John is our guest today to preview and describe what he calls the new “writing” phase of genomics, which he says is already underway. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episod...
2019-10-2239 min
Mendelspod PodcastWhy Isn’t Personalized Medicine Being Mentioned by the Presidential Contenders? Ed Abrahams on Drug Pricing, Genetic Testing, and the State of the Industry in 2019Ed Abrahams has a message for Nancy Pelosi about HR 3. That’s the new bill in the House to reduce drug pricing.Ed is the President of the Personalized Medicine Coalition, an advocacy organization in Washington representing our industry which will soon announce a new caucus in congress devoted to personalized medicine. Ed joins us today and says to Pelosi, there’s a better way, a more American way to reduce drug costs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com...
2019-10-1536 min
Mendelspod PodcastKaren Miga on the Next Era of Genomics"Welcome to the era of T2T genomics,” tweeted UCSC’s Karen Miga on August 16th of this year. Then she linked to a paper on bioRxiv that begins:"After nearly two decades of improvements, the current human reference genome (GRCh38) is the most accurate and complete vertebrate genome ever produced. However, no one chromosome has been finished end to end, and hundreds of unresolved gaps persist.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-10-0825 min
Mendelspod PodcastSeptember 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Same-Sex Genetics, Mosquitos, and Another DTC ScandalAfter the summer break, Nathan and Laura, stir from their beach slumbers, to again offer their anything but sleepy opinions on the latest genomics headlines. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-10-0156 min
Mendelspod PodcastWe Can See Tumor Heterogeneity. Now What? We Ask Cathy Smith, UCSFCathy Smith counts herself among the Gleevec Generation after the landmark targeted cancer therapy. She’s an optimist who believes in the possibilities of precision medicine.“We are outsmarting cancer,” she says.Cathy is an Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology at UCSF where she is also an MD treating patients. Her area of expertise is in acute myeloid leukemia or AML. She joins us today to discuss a recent group paper and collaboration using new technology to track and monitor cancer evolution at the single cell level. This is a public episode. If you'd like t...
2019-09-1729 min
Mendelspod PodcastHallelujah! A Universal Flu Preventative and Therapy with Jeff Stein, CidaraAs another summer winds down, another flu season approaches. Yuuuk. When will we be able to stop living in fear of that crowded plane flight in winter months or waking up congested and wondering . . . dreading, “am I coming down with a cold?”Yes, we get that annual flu vaccine shot, but each year we still get the bug. Until now, a real universal flu vaccine has eluded drug makers, and having the flu goes on being just part of life. But it doesn't have to be. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...
2019-09-1223 min
Mendelspod Podcast'The Movement:' John Cumbers Previews the Rapidly Growing SynBioBeta 2019Synthetic biology is experiencing a second renaissance and the place to be this October 1-3 is at the SynBioBeta conference in San Francisco.For those of you who are going, today’s show is your preview. For those of you who need a nudge, just listen to what conference founder, John Cumbers, has conjured up in this biggest and most diverse lineup yet. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-09-0340 min
Mendelspod PodcastAnya Prince on Our Current Vulnerability to Genetic DiscriminationSome Americans still resist genetic testing for fear they will be discriminated against by insurance companies. Why?in 2008, Congress passed GINA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, to protect us from insurance companies choosing to include us or not for policies based on the genes we came with. Then in 2010, Congress passed the ACA, or Affordable Care Act, and with it protection against preexisting conditions. This includes genetic predispositions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-08-1329 min
Mendelspod PodcastDo Long Reads Hold Answers for Alzheimer’s? with Mark Ebbert, MayoIt’s the kind of plot that makes great science.There are genes that have been hiding in plain sight, undetected until now. They’ve gone unseen, that is, by short read sequencing. Today’s guest and his colleagues call them “camouflage genes,” and a couple in particular may play functional roles in Alzheimer’s disease.Mark Ebbert is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Mayo Clinic where he is using long read sequencing technology and computational biology to study neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and ALS. This is a public episode. If you'd like to...
2019-08-0132 min
Mendelspod PodcastWith Nanopore Sensing Beyond Sequencing, Ontera Takes 'Lab' to the FieldWe’ve interviewed several CEOs over the years since the Theranos fiasco who avoided any mention of the blighted company whenever the comparison came up. But today’s guest, Murielle Thinard McLane, the CEO of Ontera, jumped at the chance before Theral could get to it."Some people might say, well that's the Theranos model. They (Theranos) didn't get it wrong. The demand for a fast, comprehensive point-of-care solution near the patient is there. Where they got it wrong is that you need a technology that is sound to do that!" This is a public episode. If y...
2019-07-2525 min
Mendelspod PodcastMark Chaisson on Two New Structural Variation PapersIf you’re not on the long read sequencing train, you’re not landing in the world of genomics.A new paper out begins, "Structural variants contribute greater diversity at the nucleotide level between two human genomes than another form of genetic variation.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-07-1741 min
Mendelspod PodcastEarly Cancer Detection: Is This Company Ahead of Grail?The great promise of liquid biopsy technology is in early cancer detection. That is, it's the great future promise. Right? This past month at the annual cancer conference, ASCO, we heard about one such flagship company announcing just which technology they were going to use to do it--DNA methylation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-07-0932 min
Mendelspod PodcastJune 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Gene Patents, Grail, Dr. LynchNathan and Laura join Theral for our final review show before the summer break. Have you already headed out on vacation? Take us along and stay current with the top stories in genomics.This month it's gene patents (yes, Congress is really reviving that debate), another gene therapy with another astronomical price tag, and remembering Dr. Henry Lynch of Lynch Syndrome fame. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-07-0142 min
Mendelspod PodcastShould Genomic Screening Be Standard of Care? with Adam Buchanan, GeisingerThose of us watching every shift in the level of adoption of genomic medicine have our eyes closely glued to Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.Adam Buchanan is the Co-Director of Geisinger’s MyCode Genomic Screening and Counseling program, and today we talk to him about the rationale of making genomic screening part of routine medical care. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-06-2537 min
Mendelspod PodcastMay 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Gene Therapies, DTC Shifts, Gender and SportsOur two reigning champions are back for a month packed with news. It’s Nathan Pearson of Root and Laura Hercher of Sarah Laurence College and Host of The Beagle Has Landed Podcast daring to go where no genomics commentators have gone before. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-05-3151 min
Mendelspod PodcastToward the Human Pan Genome with Adam Phillippy, NHGRIStorylines repeat in genome science every decade or so. The human genome is complete. No. Now it's complete. Or, in the 90's, it was first announced that the first chromosome was sequenced. We have the same story for you today--breaking news from a paper that has not even been published yet: the first “complete” assembly of a human chromosome, end to end, telomere to telomere.So what’s going on? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-05-2335 min
Mendelspod PodcastLaura Hercher on the DTC Genetic Testing Landscape"DTC is now too big of an arena to put everything in the same bucket.”This was a line from Laura Hercher, one of our monthly commentators a couple shows back. The statement made its way around Twitter, so we thought we’d have Laura back to the program and ask her to come up with some more buckets.It turns out it’s not that easy. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is a dynamic and complex space in 2019, a mishmash that quite defies easy categorization. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...
2019-05-1649 min
Mendelspod PodcastArcadia Biosciences Pivots to Bring Us Non-GMO, High Fiber GoodWheat and Better CannabisToday we're joined by Matt Plavan, President of Arcadia Specialty Genomics.The last time we talked with someone from Arcadia Bioscience, a biotech company working on plant genomics in Davis, California, they were confronting GMO regulatory hurdles.Which was a pity. They had created these great new strains of rice and soybeans, among other crops, that were being held from market due to regulations in Southeast Asia. This at a time when world population is . . . well, you know what its doing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...
2019-05-0928 min
Mendelspod PodcastApril 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: uBiome Raided by FBI, PRS for Obesity, and a Gene Therapy CureApril was a tough month for some genomics companies. The FBI raided the offices of uBiome and two other pioneers in the field failed. Are there broader implications?Nathan and Laura have returned to first give us some facts and then to throw their hats in the ring.Lots happened this month in the world of DNA. Tune in and catch it all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-05-0242 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Era of the Social Genome with Rodrigo Martinez, Veritas GeneticsTwo years ago Veritas Genetics began offering whole genome sequencing for a thousand dollars. It was a significant milestone—and still is!—not only for what it means about the company providing the genomes but also what it means about the demand for such a product. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-04-1849 min
Mendelspod PodcastReassessing Alzheimer’s with Larry Goldstein, UCSDThere are drug trial failures. And there are drug trial failures.The recent move by drug giant Biogen to halt their Alzheimer’s drug has not only been a setback for the company—their stock fell precipitously on the news—it’s also been a major setback for the whole research community focused on this disease. The Biogen trial was one of the last of the major drug companies with high hopes for a significant therapeutic step forward for the neurodegenerative disease. The last five years has seen one big pharma players after another throw in the towel.
2019-04-0932 min
Mendelspod PodcastFamily Surprises Care of the Home DNA Test with Brianne KirkpatrickYou order a $99 home DNA test for some holiday pleasure. It’s a bit of fun. Right?Until it turns your life upside down. Which is when you contact a professional. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-04-0426 min
Mendelspod PodcastMarch 2019 with Nathan and Laura: Old Envelopes, Wooly Mammoth DNA, and the Night KingFrom recovering DNA on hundred year old envelopes to bringing it to life from 28,000 year old wooly mammoth samples, it's our genomics version of March Madness. Join Theral, Nathan and Laura for another monthly look back over the headlines. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-03-2944 min
Mendelspod PodcastSingle Cell Analysis Shows Important New Detail in Key Clinical Study of AML: Koichi Takahashi, MD AndersonThe history of biomedicine goes something like this:A new tool is invented. 2. New tool is used in research labs to generate new data and new hypotheses. There is new science. 3. New tool is used in clinical setting to confirm this new science with real patients. 4. Then new tool is adopted into clinical use.All the buzz these days, single cell DNA analysis instruments have just made it into step three. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
2019-03-2129 min
Mendelspod PodcastScience Communication in a Post Fact World with Erik Clausen"That’s fake news!”We hear it all the time. And often it is said about scientific facts, for example, recent studies or evidence of global warming. Or the safeness of vaccines. But has the problem with “fake news” been that much of an issue in the life science industry? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-03-0726 min
Mendelspod PodcastFebruary 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Family Surprises, IQ Profiling, and Chinese SurveillanceOur two favorite commentators are back for our February 2019 month-in-review show, and to give our own twist to Valentine's Day celebrations we take on the topic of family surprises due to DNA testing. This is a phenomenon taking the world by storm in 2019. The Boston Globe had a great headline this past week, "First came the home DNA kits. Now come the support groups." This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-03-0138 min
Mendelspod PodcastHeretic No Longer? Meet Michael Joyner, Precision Medicine’s Critic-in-ChiefIn 2016, after President Obama announced the Cancer Moonshot in the State of the Union, a very outspoken physician researcher from the Mayo Clinic penned an open letter to Vice President Biden criticizing the project and proposing the money be better spent other ways. It included these lines: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-02-2640 min
Mendelspod PodcastThe Internet of Biology Revolution-For Real This Time, with Brett Goldsmith, CardeaTalk to anyone who’s been around diagnostics or blood sampling for long, and they’ll tell you that nanotechnology is nothing new.Today’s guest, Brett Goldsmith, the Chief Technology Officer at Cardea, says he was involved in the nano revolution that was and then wasn’t 20 years ago. (The older veterans among us might date it back even further, to forty years ago.) So what are Brett and Cardea buzzing about early this year in a new Nature paper? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
2019-02-0633 min
Mendelspod PodcastJanuary 2019 Review with Nathan and Laura: Cloning, CRISPRing, DTC, and Paleogenomic OverreachNathan and Laura are back for the first time this year for a wild trip past cloned CRISPRd monkeys and the first gene drive in mammals. (Just that?) But first we have to deal with our hangover from the end of last year.We talk DTC and end with a discussion of the ancient DNA controversy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-02-0146 min
Mendelspod PodcastCara O'Neill of the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation Tells Her StoryYou’re a mother, and life is typical. You’re also a pediatrician. Then one day you hear that your daughter is autistic. OK. Then you get the news that, no, it’s not autism but a very rare disease called Sanfilippo Syndrome. From your training as a pediatrician you quickly think back and remember the MPS rare diseases, but nothing else prepares you for what’s ahead. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-01-2929 min
Mendelspod PodcastPregSource: The NIH’s Crowdsourcing Project for Pregnancy Data with Caroline SignoreThere are hundreds of pregnancy apps available. So what is unique about the NIH’s new crowdsourcing project called PregSource?“We think PregSource is different because we offer the security and reliability of having been developed at the NIH with the participation of well regarded organizations. We’ve developed the content with expert input at every stage. Their are no ads at PregSource. And, of course, we will never, ever share or sell the data with a commercial organization.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...
2019-01-2426 min
Mendelspod PodcastMeet Christian, Janos, and the New World of 3D OncologyToday we engage in a rare discussion between a startup founder who is going beyond sequencing and working directly with cancer patient cells in 3D cultures and with one of his customers, the husband of a cancer patient.Meet Christian Regenbrecht, the CEO of CPO or Cellular Phenomics and Oncology based in Berlin, Germany and Janos Flosser, a fund manager who invests in technology from Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2019-01-1729 min
Mendelspod PodcastHas Computational Modeling for Cancer Genomics "Arrived?" with Shirley Liu, Dana FarberIt’s the question of the moment Are we living in the age of AI? Or is it still just hype?When it comes to the latest research in immuno therapy, computational modeling is helping to answer key open questions, such as which patients might respond to which drugs."If you were to ask me last year about deep learning, I would probably say, aaah, most of the algorithms that are published are not really answering the important questions yet. But I think this year I am converted. We are starting to use deep learning, and we...
2019-01-0829 min
Mendelspod PodcastKeith Robison and Shawn Baker on Illumina Buyout of PacBioJust hours after Illumina announced their buyout of Pacific Biosciences, Theral sits down with longtime sequencing Omics Omics blogger, Keith Robison, and the Chief Science Officer at sequencing marketplace, AllSeq, Shawn Baker, to discuss the news which has taken the industry by surprise.A special thanks to our sponsor, Sage Science, and the quick decision on this show. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2018-11-0224 min
Mendelspod PodcastIn-Situ Sequencing, CRISPR Patents, and Racist Milk Drinkers: February 2017 with Nathan and LauraCommentators Nathan Pearson and Laura Hercher join us to look back on February’s genomics headlines.Beginning this time with science, Nathan says we should be expecting great things from new in-situ sequencing. Laura found it encouraging that the National Academy of Sciences shifted to be more in support of genome editing. Theral asks what life forms are left to sequence for the Earth BioGenome Project? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2017-03-0123 min
Mendelspod PodcastHank Greely on “The End of Sex" and Other StuffEach year at this time we bring on a guest who is somewhat out of the way of our normal lineup, for example, a science fiction writer or a philosopher. Today Theral interviews a law professor who loves to philosophize and write about the impact of biotechnology on our lives now and in the near future. His newest book out this year, “The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction,” is another comprehensive and provocative example of what has made Stanford’s Hank Greely such an in-demand speaker both to scientist and non-scientist audiences alike. This is a p...
2016-12-2232 min
Mendelspod PodcastAugust 2016 with Nathan and LauraIt’s the end of summer and end of another month. Joining us to discuss the genomics headlines of August are Laura Hercher and Nathan Pearson.A recent study demonstrating that breast cancer patients with low genomic risk may not need chemotherapy is just what precision medicine is all about, isn’t it? Theral and Laura think the study is a big deal. Nathan’s not so sure.Nathan is convinced though that Eurocentric studies have implicit racism. Laura agrees, saying the lack of racial diversity in biological databases is a major weakness that we must face h...
2016-09-0117 min
Mendelspod PodcastGene & Tonic: Disruption in Sequencing, Scientist Politicians, Some Cool SynbioJoin Theral for a quick wrap-up of the week's biotech news:The biggest news this week has been the flow of stories coming from last week’s AGBT conference held in Florida. This is the annual all out party for the all out darling of our industry, the sequencing space. Like a debutante ball, it’s where anybody who’s anybody comes out and does their curtsy to society. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe
2015-03-0605 min