Podcast
DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
Hosted by Kira Dineen, Gene Pool Media · EN
Discover New Advances in the world of genetics, from technology like CRISPR to rare diseases to new research. For over a decade, multi-award winning podcast ”DNA Today” has brought you the voices of leaders in genetics. Host Kira Dineen brings her genetics expertise to interview geneticists, genetic counselors, patient advocates, biotech leaders, researchers, and more.
***Best Science and Medicine Podcast Award Winner (2020, 2021 and 2022)***
Learn more (and stream all 400+ episodes) at DNAtoday.com. You can contact the show at info@DNAtoday.com.
This show is part of "Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network" head to GenePoolMedia.com to explore all our science themed shows.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#325 Revolutionizing Variant Curation with MAVEs
Jan 24, 202500:35:57Tap to summarizeWe explore cutting-edge technologies transforming genetic variant curation: multiplexed assays of variant effect (MAVEs). Joining us are two leading experts in the field: Dr. Lea Starita, Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Co-Director of the Brotman Baty Advanced Technology Lab. Dr. Douglas Fowler, Professor of Genome Sciences and Co-Director of the Center for the Multiplexed Assessment of Phenotype. Together, they break down how these groundbreaking methods work, their advantages over traditional approaches, and their potential to advance precision medicine. From the challenges of interpreting MAVEs data to their role in reducing health disparities and resolving variants of uncertain significance (VUS), this episode offers a comprehensive look at the future of genomics. Dr. Lea Starita is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington and the Co-director of Brotman Baty Advanced Technology Lab. She earned her Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School before coming to the University of Washington to train in functional genomics with Stan Fields and Jay Shendure. Dr. Douglas Fowler is a Professor of Genome Sciences and an Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. Dr. Fowler is co-Director of the Center for the Multiplexed Assessment of Phenotype, an NHGRI Center of Excellence in Genome Sciences. He is also a founder and current co-chair of the Atlas of Variant Effect Alliance executive committee. Key Topics Covered: What are MAVEs, and why are they revolutionary for variant curation? How MAVEs allow for simultaneous testing of thousands of genetic variants. Real-world applications of MAVEs in understanding specific genes and conditions. How MAVEs resolve VUS and accelerate precision medicine. Ethical and practical considerations in moving MAVEs from research to clinical practice. The role of collaboration and initiatives like the Atlas of Variant Effect Alliance in advancing the field. Resources: Atlas of Variant Effects Alliance: Precision medicine at nucleotide resolution Variants and Us (VUS) Podcast Introduction to Deep Mutational Scanning (Animation) An Atlas of Variant Effects to understand the genome at nucleotide resolution Understanding haemophilia, one amino acid at a time Will variants of uncertain significance still exist in 2030? Mutational Scanning Symposium 2025 in Barcelona in May 2025 Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) Consortium N-Lorem developing ASOs for nano-rare diseases NIH’s ClinVar Database Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 300 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.” Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.
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#253 Inborn Errors of Immunity with Felicia Morton and Torry Howell
Sep 8, 2023Tap to summarizeIn this episode we are discussing inborn errors of immunity, with a particular focus on chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Joining us for this episode is rare disease advocate, Felicia Morton, and genetic counselor, Torry Howell. Felicia Morton, is the Founder and Executive Director of the CGD Association of America. Felicia has been a well-known advocate for the CGD community for more than a decade armed with her family’s personal experience. Torry Howell, is a clinical genomic liaison at Blueprint Genetics. She received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. On This Episode We Discuss: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) and types of conditions that fall under this umbrella term Genetic testing for IEIs and how earlier diagnosis can impact a patient’s treatment decisions Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) Felicia’s personal experience as a carrier of CGD and parent of a son with CGD Stem cell treatment for CGD The importance of collaboration between patients, caregivers, advocacy groups, and medical experts in improving the lives of those affected by CGD and IEIs Important links and resources mentioned during the episode: NIH’s Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation CGD Association of America Human Inborn Errors of Immunity: 2022 Update on the Classification from the International Union of Immunological Societies Expert Committee Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on September 15th, 2023! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 250 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. 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 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.
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#34 Henrietta Lacks
Sep 28, 2015Tap to summarizeUCONN hosted a free event honoring Henrietta Lacks on September 24th, 2015 at The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. The bestselling author of the book, The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot presented as well as members of the Lacks family. This episode recaps the event and features an interview with descendents of Henrietta Lacks, Kimberly Lacks, granddaughter, and Veronica Spencer, great-granddaughter.
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