DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

In this episode we're delving into the intricate landscape of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Returning to the show is Dr. Patrick Short, CEO and Co-Founder of the healthtech platform Sano Genetics. With his expertise in researching large-scale genome sequencing and rare disorders, Dr. Short provides invaluable insights into the genetics of ALS.   Dr. Patrick Short is a Cambridge-trained PhD geneticist with experience researching large-scale genome sequencing and rare disorders. He is CEO and co-founder of healthtech platform Sano Genetics, which is accelerating the world’s transition to precision medicine. Sano simplifies studies, working with pharmaceutical companies and biotechs to find, screen, and engage participants faster and more cost effectively; with researchers to increase efficiency and impact; and with patient advocacy groups to drive research with and for their communities.   Understanding the Role of Genetics in ALS - Dr. Short sheds light on the role genetics plays in ALS and discusses potential non-genetic factors that contribute to the disease.   Genetic Factors and Risk for ALS - Exploration of genes associated with a higher risk for ALS and whether they contribute to diagnosis or merely increase susceptibility.   Evolution of Understanding in ALS Genetics - Dr. Short discusses how our understanding of ALS genetics has evolved in recent years and offers insights into future advancements.   Comparing ALS with Other Neurodegenerative Disorders - Insights into how the genetic landscape of ALS differs from conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.   The "Light The Way" Program by Sano Genetics - An introduction to Sano Genetics' free program, "Light The Way," designed for families affected by ALS. - Eligibility criteria and the enrollment process for families interested in participating in the "Light The Way" program. - Key objectives and expected outcomes of the "Light The Way" program, focusing on uncovering genetic risks for ALS.   Challenges in Large-Scale Genetic Studies - Dr. Short discusses the complexities and challenges involved in conducting large-scale genetic studies focused on ALS.   Contributions to ALS Research and Therapy Development - Envisioning how data collected can contribute to our understanding of ALS and the development of potential therapies.   Importance of International Collaboration - Insights into the crucial role of international collaboration and data sharing in advancing genetic research and therapy development for ALS.   As we navigate the intricate genetics of ALS, Dr. Patrick Short provides a wealth of knowledge and perspective, offering hope for advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, a cure for this devastating disease. Join us in this enlightening conversation as we strive to unravel the mysteries of ALS and pave the way for a brighter future.   If you enjoyed hearing from Dr. Short, listen to Episode #106 of DNA Today where he shared about the genetics of autism. Dr. Short also hosts Sano Genetics’ show, The Genetics Podcast; you can hear our host Kira Dineen on Episode #15. She will also be a panelist on Sano Genetics’ upcoming webinar exploring newborn screening, stay tuned! A few years ago, Kira was the writer of a Sano Genetics blog series, “Explained By A Genetic Counselor”.    If you want to hear from a patient perspective we highly recommend Episode #16 of It Happened To Me with Brooke Eby. It’s the most popular episode of the podcast by far (nearly 10,000 views on YouTube)! Kira Dineen is also the Executive Producer of the show.    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 275 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.   See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com. 

Happy Rare Disease Month! Did you know why February was chosen? It's because it harbors the rarest day of the year, February 29th, which coincides with Rare Disease Day. To kick off this special month, we're thrilled to share a poignant episode of the "It Happened To Me Podcast," where rare diseases take center stage.    Our host, Kira Dineen, is the Executive Producer of the "It Happened To Me" podcast and had the privilege of co-hosting this episode, delving into the complexities of Wolfram Syndrome. Our guest is a parent of a child with Wolfram Syndrome, while one of the hosts of the show (Cathy) also grapples with this condition. This unique dynamic led to a deeply insightful conversation, filled with personal experiences and valuable insights. We hope you'll enjoy and learn from this discussion as much as we did.   Wolfram Syndrome is a rare recessive genetic condition with profound implications. Our guest on this episode is Stephanie Snow Gebel, a parent and advocate who has dedicated herself to raising awareness and advancing research through the Snow Foundation for Wolfram Syndrome. Stephanie shares her journey as a parent of a child diagnosed with Wolfram Syndrome, offering insights into diagnosis, management, advocacy, and hope.   Understanding Wolfram Syndrome: Stephanie describes Wolfram Syndrome, outlining its complex array of symptoms, including diabetes, optic nerve atrophy, vision loss, deafness, loss of taste and smell, and urinary and bladder dysfunction.   The Wolfram Journey: Stephanie recounts her journey as a parent of a child with Wolfram Syndrome, from the initial noticing of symptoms to diagnosis and beyond.   Diagnosis and Symptoms: Stephanie shares about her daughter’s symptoms and experiences with Wolfram Syndrome, shedding light on the challenges faced.   The Role of the Snow Foundation: Stephanie discusses the creation and mission of the Snow Foundation, highlighting its impact in filling a void and driving research efforts forward.   Treatment and Management: Insights into managing Wolfram Syndrome, including treatment of individual symptoms such as diabetes and vision loss.   Current Trials and Hope for the Future: Stephanie provides updates on current trials, discussing the goals and implications for patients with Wolfram Syndrome. Exploring the potential of trials to slow progression or offer hope for a cure.   Advocacy and Awareness: The role of advocacy and organizations like The Organization for Rare Disorders in raising awareness and supporting patients with Wolfram Syndrome.   Life with Wolfram: An update on Stephanie’s daughter’s current status, prognosis, and how she is managing with Wolfram Syndrome.   Closing Thoughts and Advice: Stephanie shares her insights and advice for listeners, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, awareness, and hope in the face of rare diseases like Wolfram Syndrome.   As we conclude this insightful conversation with Stephanie Snow Gebel, we are reminded of the resilience, courage, and hope that shine through in the face of challenges posed by Wolfram Syndrome. Join us in raising awareness, supporting research, and fostering hope for a brighter future for individuals and families affected by this rare condition.   The Snow Foundation is a collective voice for Wolfram syndrome patients, working towards a cure for Wolfram syndrome and developing novel therapies for diabetes, vision loss, hearing loss and neurodegeneration.   Please be sure to check out more episodes of It Happened To Me, just search the title in whatever podcast player you use to listen to DNA Today!   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 270 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.

As we delve into the intricacies of ENPP1 Deficiency Disorders, Dr. Yves Sabbagh and Christine O’Brien provide invaluable insights into genetics, diagnostics, treatment, and collaborative efforts between the patient community and pharmaceutical companies. Join us in this illuminating conversation, as we navigate the complexities of GACI and explore avenues for a brighter future in managing these conditions. Yves Sabbagh, PhD, is senior vice president and chief scientific officer, joining Inozyme in October 2020. Dr. Sabbagh brings to Inozyme more than 20 years of experience in rare genetic disorders and mineral metabolism with responsibilities leading to the identification and evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches and translating them into clinical candidates. Prior to joining Inozyme, Dr. Sabbagh served as the head of Rare Renal and Musculoskeletal Diseases research at Sanofi. Prior to that executive role, he held scientific roles of increasing responsibility at Sanofi and Genzyme Corporation spanning endocrine, renal and rare bone diseases including driving the strategy for bone indications. Prior to his corporate experience, he was an instructor at the Harvard Medical School in the Endocrine unit. Dr. Sabbagh has co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is a member of several scientific societies. Dr. Sabbagh received a BSc in biochemistry from McGill University, an MSc in microbiology from Université Laval and a PhD in biology from McGill University.   Christine O’Brien lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts with her husband Michael and their 3 children.  Her two oldest children are both living with ENPP1 Deficiency.  Her husband and son also have Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.  She is a founding member and co-president of GACI Global, the only patient advocacy group that exists for patients with GACI / ARHR2 caused by ENPP1 Deficiency or ABCC6 Deficiency.  Prior to joining the ranks of medical mamas everywhere who manage therapies, appointments, and medications, she was an elementary school guidance counselor.  Today, in addition to her work with GACI Global, Christine currently juggles raising children with part time jobs as a photographer and the director of customer service at British Swim School of Greater Boston.     Episode Discussion Outline   Exploring the Genetic Causes: - Dr. Sabbagh explains the genetic causes of GACI, shedding light on the involvement of genes such as ABCC6 and ENPP1. - Does the gene involved determine the type of GACI?   Diagnostic Challenges and Genetic Testing: - The necessity of genetic testing for diagnosis and potential programs to offset the cost to patients. - Christine discusses the challenges patients face in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and the impact of the diagnostic odyssey on families.   Symptoms and Challenges Across Lifespan: - Understanding the symptoms of ENPP1 Deficiency Disorders throughout the lifespan and the challenges they pose in disease comprehension. - What signs should healthcare providers be aware of across different specialties?   Understanding PPi and Its Role: - Dr. Sabbagh elaborates on the role of PPi in the body, highlighting differences in individuals with GACI and its implications.   Current Treatment Options and Unmet Needs: - Insights from Dr. Sabbagh on existing treatment options and unmet medical needs in ENPP1 Deficiency disorders.   Partnerships and Collaboration: - Christine provides insights into the partnership approach between patient communities and Inozyme Pharmaceuticals. - How does Inozyme collaborate with the patient community to address challenges?   Hope for the Future: - Dr. Sabbagh discusses INZ-701 and its potential in addressing the challenges associated with GACI. - An overview of the clinical trial program underway for ENPP1 Deficiency treatment.   Future Hopes and Advancements: - Christine shares her hopes for advancements in GACI research, diagnosis, and treatment, emphasizing the importance of continued progress.   Links Mentioned In Episode: Prevention Genetics Genetic Testing Program for ENPP1 and ABCC6   Inozyme Pharma and Rady Children’s Institute for Genome Medicine’s Sponsored Ultra-rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Offered for Select Critically Ill Infant (Including Suspected GACI)   GACI Global Organization   Inozyme    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 270 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.

This episode was originally released on the Patient Empowerment Program podcast, where our host Kira Dineen serves as a Producer. Sometimes you might even hear Kira’s voice in promos and ads.    In this podcast, Dr. Stan Crooke and Dr. Gleeson discuss the importance of genomics for neurology and how genetic information is changing how the medical community approaches neurological diseases.   Dr. Joseph Gleeson is n-Lorem’s Chief Medical Officer and holds a Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Endowed Professorship of Neuroscience. He is an Investigator with the Simons Foundation for Autism Research Initiative, and an Elected Member of the National Academy of Medicine.   Diagnosing a rare disease can be incredibly difficult. Over the past 10 years, advances in genomic sequencing coupled with an explosion of research on the functional consequences of mutations in genes are reshaping how the medical community thinks about rare diseases. Being able to evaluate a patient’s entire genetic makeup often allows physicians to identify mutations in genes that are causal for disease.  These mutations can be common, meaning that they are found in many patients with a particular disease.  These mutations can be incredibly rare (often one patient in the world; n-Lorem refers to them as nano-rare).   For a patient that has a gene mutation that is rare, they often have no therapeutic options.   How many patients have mutations that have never been identified? Dr. Gleeson estimates that 90% of all gene mutations that have been identified in recent years have never been identified before.   Access to genome sequencing is becoming more and more available and as such, the rare-research community is finding it easier to diagnose patients properly with information from databases, leading to an influx of newly discovered gene mutations and n-of-1 individuals. Gleeson and his team at UCSD have identified that out of the over 2 million known human mutations, there is a viable path for ASO or gene therapy treatment for half of them.   On This Episode We Discuss: The impact of genomic sequencing in medicine The difference between a genotype and phenotype How often a patient is identified with a genetic mutation unique to them Focusing on the underlying cause of disease and not just treating symptoms A viable path for treatment for how many gene mutations? Why he chose to become n-Lorem’s Chief Medical Officer   Dr. Joe Gleeson studied chemistry as an undergraduate at UC San Diego. While in college, he frequently volunteered at a hospital and decided that practicing medicine would be a great way to apply his understanding of chemistry. Particularly, he wanted to figure out how the brain works while focusing on brain disease. Dr. Gleeson continued his education by attending the Pritzker Medical School at the University of Chicago, and then completed his residency and fellowship at Harvard. While in medical school, his eyes were opened to child neurology – understanding how the brain forms and how humans mature.   Immediately upon practicing pediatrics, Dr. Gleeson noticed that most patients suffering from rare diseases didn’t have or would never receive a diagnosis. It was obvious to him that to change the lives of these patients, researchers must learn more about the diseases to allow physicians to not just treat the symptoms, but to combat the gene to reduce the severity of the phenotypes.   Diagnosing a rare disease can be incredibly difficult. Genomics has made a massive difference in the medical field over the past 10 years by allowing doctors to see a patient’s entire genetic makeup. Finding a patient who is the only person in the world affected by a specific disease, or an n-of-1 patient, is surprisingly common. Gleeson estimates that 90% of all mutations identified are unique. As technology advances, the rare-research community is finding it easier to diagnose patients properly with information from databases, leading to an influx of newly discovered gene mutations and n-of-1 individuals. Gleeson and his team at UCSD have identified that out of the over 2 million known human mutations, there is a viable path for ASO or gene therapy treatment for half of them.   Dr. Gleeson also serves as the Chief Medical Officer of n-Lorem, aiming to address unique genetic mutations with ASO technology – the ultimate in personalized medicine. Excited and completely bought in, Dr. Gleeson is hopeful that n-Lorem will be able to successfully discover and develop personalized experimental ASO medicines for thousands of patients over the next decade – for free, for life. Please be sure to check out more episodes of the Patient Empowerment Program podcast, just search the title in whatever podcast player you use to listen to DNA Today! Or head over to the podcast’s listing on here n-Lorem’s website.    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “DNA Today” next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 270 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    “DNA Today” is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.   See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.   

Dr. Andrew Carey, a genetic optic neuropathies specialist, discusses the intersection of vision and neurology, technological advances in the field, stroke in the optic nerve, evaluation methods for genetic optic neuropathies, the importance of open communication with your doctor, seeking medical attention for vision changes, and information about the podcast and its Patreon community.

In this episode we dive deep into two crucial reproductive genetic topics with the knowledgeable and experienced genetic counselor, Kelly Loggenberg. Joining us from Next Biosciences, a Female-led South African Biotechnology company specializing in Reproductive Genetic Testing, Kelly sheds light on Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) and Genetic Testing of Miscarriage, also known as Products of Conception (POC).   Overview of PGT-A: - Kelly provides an overview of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) and its role in reproductive genetic testing. - Reasons why patients or couples opt for PGT-A and the decision-making information it provides.   NIPS vs. PGT-A: - The distinctions between Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) and PGT-A, exploring conditions that NIPS can screen for that PGT-A may not cover. - The necessity of NIPS when a couple has opted for PGT-A for their embryos.   Challenges and Ethical Considerations: - Discussion on the challenges and ethical considerations associated with PGT-A. - How genetic counselors navigate these discussions with patients.   Products of Conception (POC) Testing: - Insight into Products of Conception (POC) testing and the situations prompting individuals or couples to choose this genetic testing. - Contribution of POC testing to understanding miscarriages and its role in future reproductive planning.   Practical Aspects of POC Testing: - Clarification on whether individuals can bring in tissue for POC testing after a miscarriage at home or if a follow-up procedure is required.   Regional Variations and International Experience: - Kelly's international experience in the UK and the potential variations in acceptance or utilization of PGT-A and POC testing in different regions/countries.   Technological Advancements: - How technology and advancements in genetic testing have influenced the landscape of reproductive genetic testing during Kelly's career.   The Future of Reproductive Genetic Testing: - Kelly's insights into the future of reproductive genetic testing and potential breakthroughs or improvements on the horizon. - Exciting emerging technologies or research areas within reproductive genetics.   About Kelly Loggenberg: Kelly holds an MSc (Med) in Genetic Counselling from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, with over 15 years of experience in clinical and research settings. After a decade as a genetic counselor in the UK, she returned to South Africa in 2018. Currently, Kelly serves as the in-house genetic counselor at Next Biosciences, offering valuable advice on preimplantation genetic testing, non-invasive prenatal testing, and products of conception testing to clinicians and patients alike.   As we explore the complexities and advancements in reproductive genetic testing, Kelly Loggenberg provides invaluable insights into the present and future of this rapidly evolving field. Tune in to the podcast to gain a deeper understanding of these essential topics and their impact on reproductive health.   Be sure to check out Episode 221 of DNA Today that Kelly recommended during the episode. In this episode we interview a couple of her fellow South African Genetic Counseling colleagues, Samantha Bayley and Tina-Marié Wessels.   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on January 12th! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 270 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.   See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com. 

Robert Boscacci, the mind behind 'The Spring of Sight,' explores computer vision's role in genetic diagnosis and the transformative impact on medical science. Topics include the importance of diverse datasets in averting biases, challenges in adopting AI in healthcare, and the potential of computer vision in aiding healthcare providers with diagnosing genetic disorders.

Dr. Peter Nagy, a genetic technology expert, discusses the challenges of diagnosing rare genetic diseases and the advantages of optical genome mapping over traditional cytogenetic analyses. He highlights the power of combining whole genome sequencing and optical genome mapping, as well as the importance of transcriptome analysis. They also explore the comprehensive analysis of multiple genetic tests and discuss the future of DNA technology.

We are thrilled to welcome guest Blair Stevens, a certified genetic counselor and Director of Prenatal Genetic Counseling Services at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Prenatal Genetics media expert for the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Blair joins this discussion to shed light on the clinical utility of ancestry and its use in reproductive genetic counseling spaces.   Joining as a co-host today is Dessiah Phillips, a genetic counseling student at Sarah Lawrence College. Together, we will explore ancestry data from both a clinical and educational perspective. Tune in as we delve into how this data is used in personalized medicine and tailoring healthcare solutions.    Blair Stevens is a prenatal genetic counselor with over 15 years experience in direct patient care. She is an Associate Professor and serves as the Director of Prenatal Genetic Counseling Services at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Blair specializes in helping families understand and adjust to unexpected prenatal diagnoses and counseling families with fetal anomalies identified on ultrasound. She has also served in various leadership positions within the National Society of Genetic Counselors. On This Episode We Discuss: Historical and current use of genetic ancestry in healthcare Approaches and techniques of using ancestry data Challenges of using ancestry data How unknown ancestry impacts healthcare Assessing carrier status of conditions based on ancestry data Ethical considerations and the future for ancestry data   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on Friday, December 22nd! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 260 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.

To celebrate the year coming to an end, we are reflecting back on the top genetics and genomics news stories during 2023. It’s hard to fit a year’s worth of genetics in one episode, let alone a half hour so we bring you this special double episode of DNA Today.    Our host Kira Dineen is joined by two leaders in genetics, Dr. Eric Green and Dr. Brendan Lee.    Dr. Eric Green Dr. Eric Green is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). As NHGRI director, Dr. Green leads the Institute's research programs and other initiatives. He has played an instrumental leadership role in developing many high-profile efforts relevant to genomics. Dr. Green received his B.S. degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1981, and his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in 1987. Coincidentally, 1987 was the same year that the word “genomics” was coined. Dr. Green’s relationship with the Institute began long before his appointment as director. He served as the Institute’s scientific director (2002 - 2009), chief of the NHGRI Genome Technology Branch (1996 - 2009) and founding director of the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center (1997 - 2009). Prior to that, he played an integral role in the Human Genome Project. Dr. Green is a founding editor of the journal Genome Research (1995 - present) and a series editor of Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual (1994 - 1998), both published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. He is also co-editor of Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics (since 2005). Throughout his career, he has authored and co-authored over 385 scientific publications.    Dr. Green is a recurring guest on DNA Today, and he might hold the title as the guest who has been on the show the most times! He was featured on Episode #182 when we chatted about the Human Genome Project and the recent completion of the human genome sequence -- from telomere to telomere. Dr. Green was a panelist on the PhenoTips Speaker Series installment that our host Kira Dineen moderated about population genomics in clinical practice, this was also released on the DNA Today podcast feed as Episode #260. He was also on last year’s Genetic Wrapped episode (#214).  Dr. Brendan Lee As a pediatrician and geneticist, the overall mission of Dr. Brendan Lee’s research program is to translate the study of structural birth defects and inborn errors of metabolism into a basic understanding of development, disease and novel therapeutic approaches. In the area of metabolism, we have applied genetic approaches to the study of biochemical genetic disorders (specifically urea cycle disorders) as models of complex diseases (those involving nitric oxide dysregulation). This has led us to study the consequences of metabolic derangements broadly in the endocrine, cardiovascular, skeletal, renal and neurological systems. In the area of structural birth defects, we have studied paracrine and endocrine signaling pathways that regulate skeletal development including morphogens (TGF, Wnt and Notch), and extracellular matrix proteins and their modifications (e.g., collagen prolyl-hydroxylation) that contribute to the human skeletal dysplasias including brittle bone diseases and connective tissue diseases like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These developmental pathways have led us to ask how their dysregulation contributes to common diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and bone cancer.   The mechanistic discoveries of my laboratory research program are translated into the clinical arena via clinical research that is performed as part of the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic and the Metabolic Disorders Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, respectively, and as part of two NIH rare diseases clinical research consortia (the Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium and the Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium). My clinical research program began with stable isotopic measurements in humans and urea cycle disorder patients to better diagnose and assess new treatments. These human studies evolved into the assessment of nitric oxide flux in patients with UCDs and specifically in those with argininosuccinic aciduria. I have participated in and led both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored interventional studies including the design and implementation of Phase II and III studies of a novel ammonia scavenger glyceryl-triphenylbutyrate in urea cycle patients; combinatorial phenylbutyrate/arginine treatment and nitric oxide supplementation in patients with argininosuccinic aciduria; and phenylbutyrate in maple syrup urine disease. In the area of skeletal dysplasias, I have studied the utility of zoledronic acid, teriparatide and anti-TGF treatments in pediatric and adult osteogenesis imperfecta. Our preclinical gene therapy studies have led to a clinical trial of helper-dependent adenoviral gene therapy in osteoarthritis. Finally, I have focused on advancing the diagnosis of genetic diseases via gene discovery, multi-omic approaches to phenotyping and mechanistic studies in the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network.   Top 2023 Genetics Advancements   The 20 anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome ProjectEpisode Recommendation: #182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project Shoutout to listener Illham Ratbi who shared on our social media that this was among the top stories they were impressed with: “The complete sequencing of Y chromosome the last missing piece of human genome”   New, specific gene editing may treat sickle cell disease Sharma A., et al. (2023). CRISPR-Cas9 Editing of the HBG1 and HBG2 Promoters to Treat Sickle Cell Disease. N Engl J Med. 389(9), 829-832.  Episode Recommendation: #251 Diversifying Genetic Research with 23andMe (including sickle cell disease insight) Episode Recommendation: #201 Sickle Cell Disease with Lifting the Veil Episode Recommendation: #198 CRISPR Ethics with Sam Sternberg   Maternal-only noninvasive prenatal genetic screening may be feasible and cost-effective for Mendelian disorders Hoskovec, J., et al. (2022). Maternal carrier screening with single-gene NIPS provides accurate fetal risk assessments for recessive conditions. Genet Med. 25(2), 100334.  Concerned about BillionToOne’s BabyPeek Episode Recommendation: #224 Single-Gene Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) with BillionToOne (Author of this article, Jennifer Hoskovec, is one of the guests)      Polygenic risk scores (PRS) and family history (FH) are independent indicators of inherited disease riskMars, N., et al. (2022). Systematic comparison of family history and polygenic risk across 24 common diseases. Am J Hum Genet. 109(12), 2152-2162. Episode Recommendation: #168 Polygenic Risk Scores with Giordano Bottà   Pharmacogenetic intervention reduces serious adverse drug events  Swen, J.J., et al. (2023). A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open- label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomized crossover implementation study. Lancet. 401, 347–356. Episode Recommendation: #174 Pharmacogenomics with Fulgent Genetics Episode Recommendation: #229 Pharmacogenomics with Avni Santani   Natural language processing helps to prioritize critically ill newborns for whole-genome sequencingPeterson, B., et al. (2023). Automated prioritization of sick newborns for whole genome sequencing using clinical natural language processing and machine learning. Genome Med. 15(1), 18. Episode Recommendation: #226 NICU Whole Genome Sequencing with Hong Li and Madhuri Hegde (Our most shared episode of 2023 according to Spotify)    Predictions for 2024 including artificial intelligence Episode Recommendation: #231 ChatGPT and AI In Genetics with Daniel Uribe (Our most popular episode of 2023 according to Spotify)  Be sure to read “Genomic Medicine Year in Review: 2023”. It’s not published, yet but we will update these show notes/blog post with the link when it is. Many of the landmark papers we discussed are highlighted in this article. Dr. Green is one of 14 co-authors that selected these top papers for the year.    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on Friday, December 15th! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 265 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios.    DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.