This episode of the "Demystifying Genetics" podcast features an insightful conversation with Ahmed-Sherrif Kanvela Yussif, one of the first genetic counsellors in Ghana. Host Matt Burgess delves into Ahmed's pioneering journey, exploring the role of genetic counseling in Ghana's healthcare system and its impact on public health, particularly regarding sickle ... Show More
Nov 24
Genetic Counsellors Take the Lead: From Mackenzie’s Mission to National Genomics. Demystifying Genetics with Kirsten Boggs
<p>Senior genetic counsellor Kirsten Boggs discusses building GCR Connect, the rise of genetic counsellor-led research, and lessons from Mackenzie’s Mission - Australia’s national reproductive carrier screening study.</p>
<p>We explore practical challenges and ethics of large-sca ... Show More
50m 12s
Nov 17
PGT Unpacked: Ethics, Linkage and Hard Choices in Reproductive Genetics. Demystifying Genetics with Erica Pai
<p>In this episode host Matt Burgess speaks with Canadian genetic counsellor Erica Pai about pre‑implantation genetic testing (PGT). They discuss how PGT has evolved, technical and ethical challenges (including difficult genes like CYP21A2), the continuing role of linkage analysi ... Show More
54m 4s
Nov 10
When Genes Meet Justice: Kidney Risk, Gene Therapy, and Community Care. Demystifying Genetics with Barbara Harrison
<p>Host Matt Burgess speaks with Assistant Professor Barbara Harrison of Howard University about APOL1-related kidney disease, sickle cell disease, and the role of cultural awareness in genetic counselling.</p>
<p>They discuss health inequities, community trust around new therapi ... Show More
57m 26s
Jul 2024
Genetic Testing for Sports Performance
In this episode, I discuss genetic testing for sports and athletic performance. I describe the history of sports genomics and the search for genes that determine strength, endurance, and other performance markers. I explain how to interpret genetic test results, including how man ... Show More
1h 43m
May 2025
Behaviors That Alter Your Genes to Improve Your Health & Performance | Dr. Melissa Ilardo
My guest is Dr. Melissa Ilardo, Ph.D., professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Utah. We discuss the interplay between genes and behaviors, including how certain behaviors can improve resilience by changing gene and organ function, as well as natural selection eve ... Show More
1h 54m
Oct 2024
Using NGS to refine risk stratification in T-ALL; a novel gene therapy approach in severe α-thalassemia; molecular taxonomy of MDS
In this week's episode we'll learn about refining risk stratification in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL. After that, we'll discuss a novel gene therapy approach in severe alpha-thalassemia. Investigators describe an innovative mouse model and an effective gene therap ... Show More
21m 48s
May 2025
EP 185: From newborn screening to lifelong data in an evolving genomics landscape with Madhuri Hegde of Revvity
This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Madhuri Hegde, SVP and Chief Scientific Officer of Revvity. They discuss Revvity’s advances in ultra-rapid clinical-grade sequencing, opportunities, challenges, and global inequities in newborn screening, and the dilemma of ... Show More
40m 44s
Nov 2024
Genetic Leukodystrophies Mimicking CNS Inflammation - Part 1
In the first part of this two-part series, Dr. Justin Abbatemarco talks with Dr. Jennifer L. Orthmann-Murphy about a practical approach to genetic leukodystrophies, focusing on the importance of genetic testing, identifying red flags in patients, and navigating the complexities o ... Show More
25m 41s
Sep 13
Ancestors and Identity: Unraveling the Genetics of the Levant with Dr. Pierre Zalloua
<p>What do our genes really reveal about who we are? In this episode, Dr. Pierre Zalloua, geneticist and author of Ancestors, takes us deep into the DNA of the Levant. We explore how personal experience, history, and science intersect to shape identity. From Phoenician expansion ... Show More
43m 34s
Nov 2020
Damn, Those Genes Look Good on You!
On this week’s episode, we are shifting gears to talk about GMOs. We set the stage by discussing the meaning of the term genetically modified (GM), and some of the different ways organisms are genetically modified, including historical methods such as selective breeding and hybri ... Show More
48m 58s
Oct 3
Genetics: Gene Expression
In this episode, we explore key topics in genetics, including how sex-linked and autosomal traits are inherited. We'll break down inheritance patterns using real-world examples, like X-linked recessive diseases, and walk through Punnett square problems to show how these traits ar ... Show More
52m 43s
Nov 2024
Cancer Cells Gone Wild: Real Biology Exposed
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman discuss the complexities of cancer with Dr. Joe Zundell, a cancer biologist. They explore the definition of cancer, its prevalence, and the hallmarks that characterize cancer cells. The conversation delves into the mecha ... Show More
59m 38s