DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

#49 Brittany Gancarz on Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Prenatal genetic counselor Brittany Gancarz talks about the field of genetic counseling, busts a few genetic counseling myths and announces a new genetic counseling program in Connecticut! She shares her expertise on genetic testing, what patients can expect during a prenatal genetic counseling appointment, and gives advice to students who are pursuing genetic counseling. Brittany Gancarz graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a master’s of science degree in Human Genetics. She is a genetic counselor and a clinical instructor in UCONN Health’s Genetics and Developmental Biology department.

#48 Dr. Ellen Elliott on lncRNAs and CRISPR

Dr. Ellen Elliott discusses her research of lncRNAs in TH2 cells and asthma. One of the technologies she uses to study this is CRISPR, a genetic editing technology. CRISPR has hit the mainstream media fast, it was recently featured on the cover of TIME magazine. Dr. Elliott also gives us a sneak peak at Jackson Laboratory’s new blog series. Dr. Ellen Elliott is a Postdoctoral Associate in Adam Williams’ lab at the gorgeous Jackson Laboratory Genomic Medicine in Farmington, CT. Dr. Elliott is studying the function of long non-coding RNAs in TH2 cells and asthma. Her results will hopefully generate lncRNAs that could be used as therapeutic targets or in diagnostic tests. Dr. Elliott graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Biology and a BS in Neuroscience. After she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology.

#47 Sharon Turcotte on lncRNAs

Sharon Turcotte did research on lncRNAs with Williams Lab at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. She teaches us what a lncRNA is, its function in gene expression, diseases lncRNAs have been associated with, using the CRISPR-Cas system and her advice for students joining the biotech industry. If you want to learn more about RNAs, check out the database RNAcentral.org. You can also read more information about Williams Lab.

#46 DNA Day!

National DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. NHGRI began celebrating DNA Day annually on April 25th after the 108th Congress passed concurrent resolutions designating it as DNA Day. The goal of National DNA Day is to offer students, teachers and the public an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the latest advances in genomic research and explore how those advances might impact their lives. Check out NIH's director, Francis Collin's AMA on Reddit, the Harry Potter and the Genetics of Wizarding webinar and the tweetchat #DNADay16 archives. To celebrate on the show, I talk about what DNA is, the history of humans discovering new aspects of DNA, the fun events you can take part in and careers that all relate to DNA. Any questions about DNA Day and it’s events can be direct to dnaday@nih.gov. You can learn more on their website, https://www.genome.gov/10506367/national-dna-day/.

#45 Hole In The Wall Gang Camp

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge. It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood, where every kid can “raise a little hell.” Former camper and current camp counselor, Ester Wasserman shares the magic of camp, how it was founded, what it offers campers and her own experience through the years.

#44 CRISPR

CRISPR is a genetic editing technology that will change the future of genetics. In the past 3 years it has been used in labs throughout the world. It has the potential to fix point mutations and larger mutations in our genome. Diseases caused by point mutations include Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Tay-Sachs disease. More complex conditions such as cancer, HIV or autism could be cured if the RNA gene editing is developed further. On March 16th, 2016, it was published that RNA was successfully targeted for the first time. This is just the beginning of CRISPR. Listen to hear how CRISPR works and how it was discovered. Get the inside scoop on the current research, ethics, politics, and patents.

#43 Lynch Syndrome

March is colorectal cancer awareness day and March 22nd is Lynch Syndrome awareness day! Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), more commonly known as Lynch syndrome, is an inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of many cancers, most notably colorectal cancer. This condition also increases the risk for other cancers such as endometrial, ovarian, and gastric cancer. Cancers that have a less severe risk increase include hepatobiliary tract, urinary tract, small bowel, pancreatic, brain/central nervous system, and sebaceous neoplasms. Not all people with Lynch syndrome have the same elevated risks. Risk levels depend on which gene(s) have mutations. Lynch syndrome is caused by mutations in the following genes, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and/or EPCAM. This paper will explore the differing risks of types of cancers between genes along with how those gene variants are identified and measures that can be taken to reduce those risks. To learn more about Lynch Syndrome you can go to the Genetics Home Reference at ghr.nlm.nih.gov. Hear from Lynch syndrome patient, Georgia Hurst, who is also an advocate and has her own support group, "I Have Lynch Syndrome" on episode 25!

#42 Women In Bioscience: Let There Be No Limit

Jackson Laboratories held The Bioscience Career Forum II: Women in Biosciences on March 11, 2016 at it's newest location on UCONN Health’s campus in Farmington, CT. The Forum centered on recruiting and retaining women in the biosciences. Women leaders in the bioscience industry discussed what it takes to enter Connecticut's most rapidly developing sector. Topics included equalizing the the gender gap in the biosciences, vital skill acquisition and training, the importance of networking and finally, how to land job. Speakers included.... Ellen Matloff is the former director of Yale's Cancer Genetic Counseling program and current CEO and president of My Gene Counsel. Her keynote address focused on society’s impact on girls and women pursuing careers in the biosciences. Dr. Albert Cheng, Assistant Professor, JAX-GM, presented on CRISPR –Cas9 Genome Editing Technologies. A panel of women in the bioscience field discussed being a women in the field and answered students questions. Dr. Susan Mockus, Manager, Clinical Analytics and Curation, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine Dr. Espy Anguiano, Senior Manager, Genome Technologies Operations, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine Dr. Kimberly Dodge-Kafka, Associate Professor, Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health Dr. Barbara Kream, Professor of Medicine and Genetics & Genome Sciences, and Associate Dean of the Graduate School, UConn Health Moderator: Melanie Sinche, M.Ed., NCC, Director of Education, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine.

#41 Rare Disease Day 2016

February 29th is the rarest day of the year and that means it's Rare Disease Day! Throughout the world NORD (The National Organization of Rare Diseases) has hosted Rare Disease Day events. I attended the Connecticut Rare Disease Day at the State House in Hartford and interviewed a few of the presenters including Jackie and Eloise Stager, founders of JaxLegacy, John Hopper, the director of the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation and Maddie Shaw, leader of Maddie's Herd. Join the rare disease tweetchat March 1st, 2016 at 1pm ET using the hashtag, #abcDRBchat.

#40 UCONN-TIP (Technology Intern Program)

Dr. Caroline Dealy returns to the show to discuss the UCONN-TIP (Technology Intern Program). She is the founder and director of the program. UCONN-TIP pairs UConn students with university start-up companies for mentored research internships in business or STEM. She shares what kind of research experience can students anticipate and how it can help in your career. You can read more about the program and apply. Submit your application soon, the deadline is March 7th, 2016!