DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

#14 Epigenetics

A lesson on what epigenetics is. A news story reveals that long-term endurance training alters the epigenetic pattern of the human skeletal muscle. Dr. Brian Chadwick, Assistant Professor of Biological Science at Florida State University, presented his research of X chromosome inactivation at UCONN and I give the highlights and share how it relates to epigenetics.

#13 New DNA Sequencing Device

A plant has more foreign DNA, than its own DNA, how is that possible? A new DNA reading device was developed that is a thousands of times smaller than width of a single human hair. How might his change personalized medicine? The effects of caffenine on embryos are explored.

#12 Whole Genome Sequencing

The event, The Drama of DNA is recapped. It was an enactment of genetic testing sessions and interactive discussion of fictional and real-life drama in the world of genetics. In the news, scientists discover new gene for devastating form of epilepsy. The event and news story both focus on whole genome sequencing.

#11 UCONN Genetic Engineering Team

Dr. Charles Lee, the scientific director at JAX Genomic Medicine, skyped my genetics class today, so I recap what he shared including the question of mine he answered. Members of the UCONN Genetic Engineering Team join the show. They discuss attending the International Genetically Engineered Machine annual competition. This competition gives students a chance to modify an organism that can help society solve some of the problems facing us today. Join them at their meetings 7pm in the UCONN Student Union room 322. Any questions can be directed to jeffrey.o'brien@uconn.edu or brian.liang@uconn.edu.

#10 Innovations in Cancer Therapy

A summary of Cornell University's Dr. Andrew Grimson's "The Messenger's Tale: Decoding the 3'UTR" presentation at UCONN starts the show. Highlights from Cleveland Clinic's Medical Innovation Summit are innovations in cancer therapy. New research supports the idea that specific groups of microbes living in our gut could be protective against obesity - and that their abundance is influenced by our genes. A new study finds people with a variant in the CETP gene may survive the longest.

#9 Dr. Rachel O’Neill Interview

Dr. Rachel O’Neill is the Director of the Center for Genome Innovation. She is also a professor and head of Genetics and Genomics in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. We discuss her laboratory which researches molecular genetic and cytogenetics techniques to study centromere determinance. Dr. O'Neill shares her findings in DNA contamination and species-specific placental development and evolution. She gives insight on how UCONN and Jackson Laboratory is contributing to genetics. Learn more about Dr. Rachel O'Neill and her laboratory on her website, Roneill.lab.uconn.edu.

#8 Denise Anamani Interview

A recap of the pigeon genetics presentation from Mike Shapiro kicks off the show. An interview with Denise Anamani, the Academic Coordinator of Laboratory Education for the students in the Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program at University of Connecticut. News stories include the epigenetic impact of binge drinking and the number of genes found to be associated with height.

#7 Gene Therapy

This episode is dedicated to gene therapy. A lesson kicks off the show on gene therapy followed by a presentation of both sides of the debate whether this gene therapy is ethical and worth pursuing as a treatment. Two news stories show the advancements of gene therapy today in research. Discovered a gene mutation that causes rare premature aging disease called dyskeratosis congenita. Long-term treatment success using gene therapy to correct a lethal metabolic disorder has been reached.

#6 Jackson Laboratories for Genomic Medicine Opening

The Grand Opening of Jackson Laboratory in Farmington, CT was this past Wednesday, October 8th. In this episode I discuss the presentations and the facility itself from the conference (check out upcoming conferences). The hot areas in genomic medicines mentioned at the symposium are explored such as prenatal and newborn genome sequences as well as ultra-rare genetic diseases. A quick news story on further findings of the breast cancer associated gene, BRCA2 is shared in honor of October being national breast cancer awareness month.

#5 Huntington’s Disease

News stories are reported on about malaria, genetics role in stress and heart conditions, and a new method of identifying and analyzing DNA. Lessons explore Huntington's Disease and genetic testing of Huntington's. Woody Guthrie, a famous American singer-songwriter and folk musician, died from Huntington's. The field of bioinformatics is also explored.