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DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

By: Kira Dineen Gene Pool Media
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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 2020, 2021, and 2022 Science and Medicine Podcast Award Winner***

Learn more (and stream all 365+ episodes) at DNAtoday.com. You can contact the show at info@DNAtoday.com.

DNA Today, LLC 2012-2024 Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • #375 How Your Publication Can Fuel Genetic Innovation

    #375 How Your Publication Can Fuel Genetic Innovation
    Jan 9 2026
    What drives scientific discovery, and how do those discoveries evolve into treatments that transform lives? In this in-person episode of DNA Today, we’re exploring the human side of science: the curiosity, collaboration, and persistence that fuel discovery. This episode is part of a special partnership with The Advanced Portfolio from Wiley, a collection of world-leading scientific journals bridging disciplines to accelerate progress in biology, genetics, and medicine. We’re joined by two guests whose careers beautifully reflect the bridge between innovation and impact: Dr. Elizabeth Bhoj is an attending physician and researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Her work focuses on discovering new genetic disorders, understanding how they work, and developing targeted therapies, bringing hope to families facing rare diseases. At the conference, she was the recipient of the ASHG Early Career Award, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to human genetics. Dr. Yuming Hu is a scientist turned publisher who serves as part of the editorial leadership at Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio. She has ten years of research experience, focusing on plant biology and environmental sciences. Before joining Wiley in 2022, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Tsinghua University, China. She had also worked as a research assistant at the University of California, Davis. Yuming obtained her Ph.D. in biochemistry and biotechnology from Ghent University, Belgium. She studied biotechnology, and got her M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. Yuming brings a global and cross-disciplinary perspective to how research is shared, discovered, and amplified. Topics Covered In This Episode: The stories behind scientific breakthroughs and what fuels discoveryHow collaboration across disciplines accelerates innovationTranslating genetic discoveries into real-world therapiesThe role of publishing and open science in driving progressHow journals are adapting to promote transparency and reproducibilityAdvice for early-career researchers balancing ambition with sustainabilityThe evolving landscape of global collaboration in scienceHow AI and automation are transforming both research and publishingThe ethics and equity considerations of AI-driven scienceThe importance of representation and global voices in genomics Key Takeaways True innovation thrives on collaboration—across labs, disciplines, and continents.Publishing isn’t the end of science; it’s a catalyst for connection and progress. Bridging basic discovery to clinical application requires persistence and shared purpose.Transparency, communication, and mentorship are essential to the next wave of breakthroughs. Relevant Resources: Wiley Advanced Portfolio Wiley’s Journal FinderGenetics and Genomics: Advanced Science Collection Precision medicine: From new tools to innovative applications: Advanced Portfolio Cross-journal CollectionsWiley's AI guidelines for AuthorsWiley’s ExplanAItions 2025: The evolution of AI in researchWhat Makes a Successful Submission Wiley Blog PostEligibility for access to Research4Life Wiley Announce Team of Editors to Lead Advanced Portfolio Journals Expansion into Life Health SciencesWiley Expands Advanced Journal Portfolio into Life and Health Sciences Deepens Physical Science Offering Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode: #337 How to Get Your Research Published: Insight from Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio Journal Editors #345 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 1 #350 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 2 #363 ASHG 2025 Recap: AI Diagnostics, Genetics Publications & Losing NIH Funding (Drs. Bhoj and Hu were also guests) Connect With Us: 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 375 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, 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 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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    27 mins
  • #374 The Eras of Genetic Testing: From the Human Genome Project to Precision Medicine

    #374 The Eras of Genetic Testing: From the Human Genome Project to Precision Medicine
    Jan 2 2026
    What if we looked at genetic testing not just as a tool, but as a story unfolding through eras of innovation, access, and personal meaning? To explore the genetic testing landscape over the last couple decades we are joined by a fellow podcaster Rome Madison, who is also a precision medicine expert and longtime industry leader with extensive experience working in diagnostics and precision medicine. Rome has trained sales teams, helped launch groundbreaking cancer diagnostics, and now hosts Genetics for Healthcare: A Podcast for Patients. He’s here to share not only how genetic testing has evolved across different eras, but also his personal connection to the field and why he’s committed to ensuring patients benefit from the genomic revolution. On This Episode, We Discuss: Setting the Stage: Rome’s Personal Journey How Rome entered the genetics and diagnostics space shortly after the Human Genome ProjectWhat motivates his continued work at the intersection of innovation, patients, and access Why confidence, curiosity, and communication matter in fast-changing scientific fields The Early Era: Post–Human Genome Project What diagnostics felt like in the early 2000sEarly pharmacogenomics and predicting chemotherapy responseBarriers to adoption, including cost, infrastructure, and skepticism The Growth Era: Expansion of Genetic Testing How cancer diagnostics and precision medicine began shaping standard careShifts in how clinicians and patients talked about risk and preventionLessons learned about equity, access, and unmet expectations The Current Era: Precision Medicine Goes Mainstream What distinguishes today’s genetic testing landscape from earlier erasOngoing challenges around affordability, access, and educationThe role of podcasts and science communication in empowering patients Looking Ahead: The Next Era of Genetic Testing What might define the next wave: RNA, epigenomics, microbiome, multi-omicsWhere AI and advanced data analytics fit into future care modelsWhy collaboration across pharma, diagnostics, advocacy groups, and patients is essentialWhether population-wide genetic testing could become routine in the years ahead About the Guest Rome Madison helps people and organizations in the life science industry increase confidence, embrace uncertainty and navigate chaos to rise and win in the market. With over 20 years of experience leading sales teams and go-to market strategy for successful start-ups and new products, Rome has Unreasonable Confidence that cancer and other chronic genetic diseases can be prevented, detected early, treated effectively and cured. Rome has given more than 500 live speeches and is a charismatic virtual presenter that keeps your audience glued to the screen and engaged with his content. He has appeared on more than 50 TV and radio shows across the US as a precision medicine expert, and has been a featured speaker at the Consumer Electronics Show on The Future of Healthcare. Rome’s podcast, Genetics for Healthcare: A Podcast for Patients, unites major healthcare stakeholders to close the gap of innovation and patient access to precision medicine. He is co-creator and host of the award-winning Precision Medicine Podcast, Google’s #1 rated podcast on the topic of next-generation cancer care, with listeners in over 108 countries. Relevant Resources: Genetics for Healthcare Podcast Hosted by Rome Madison American Lung Association; EGFR and Lung Cancer Breast Cancer Research Foundation; HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Testing, Treatment, ResearchFierce Biotech; Labcorp picks up Invitae portfolio for $239M in bankruptcy saleThe Guardian; 23andMe’s founder wins bid to regain control of bankrupt DNA testing firmNational Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines The Patient Will See You Now Book by Dr. Eric Topol (Kira was right, it was published 10 years ago!) Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode: #145 Greenwood Genetic Center on Epigenetics#182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project #358 AGBT Precision Health 2025 Meeting Recaps and Reflections#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice#362 Optical Genome Mapping: Detecting Structural Variants Missed by Traditional Tests#363 ASHG 2025 Recap: AI Diagnostics, Genetics Publications & Losing NIH Funding#364 Breast Cancer Genetic Testing in Italy: A Curated Gene Panel#370 Genetics Wrapped: 2025 Top Advances in Genomic Medicine 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 370 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 ...
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    45 mins
  • #373 Mock Pediatric Genetic Counseling Session: Cystic Fibrosis

    #373 Mock Pediatric Genetic Counseling Session: Cystic Fibrosis
    Dec 26 2025
    This is our sixth installment in our Mock Genetic Counseling Session Series! In this episode, genetic counselor Charlotte Close and student Marcely Ventura perform a mock genetic counseling session. The session indication is an abnormal newborn screening result for cystic fibrosis. This session was recorded in-person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in the interaction. We hope this series is helpful for prospective and current genetic counseling students, as well as the general public, by demystifying the genetic counseling process. Understanding how these sessions work can empower individuals and provide valuable educational insights into this critical healthcare service. The Actors: Marcely Ventura (she/her) is currently in her second and final year in the Human Genetics Program at Sarah Lawrence College training to be a genetic counselor. Ventura is a graduate of Hunter College with a B.A. in Human Biology. Ventura is the first recipient of the Lauren Ryan Genetic Counselor Access Memorial Award. This award celebrates Lauren Ryan’s legacy of advancing equity in genetic counseling and supports students from underrepresented communities. As a first-generation Hispanic college graduate, she is passionate about increasing access to genetic counseling for diverse communities and addressing health disparities. The premise of this mock case was part of her internship with DNA Today. Charlotte Close, MS, CGC (she/her) is a certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and a member of the multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis care team at CUIMC. She is passionate about improving access to genetic counseling services and has worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, other cystic fibrosis genetic counselors, and cystic fibrosis care team members from across the country to achieve this goal through policy changes, service delivery innovation, and educational efforts. In addition to her clinical work, Close contributes to the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at Columbia University by supervising students, mentoring research projects, and serving as a course director. She also serves as a Director on the New York State Genetics Taskforce. She received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Michigan and her Master of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Mock Session Information: Session Indication: The patient is a 10 week old male with a positive newborn screen for cystic fibrosis who was referred to the genetics center by his pediatrician for further evaluation and discussion of genetic testing. The patient’s mother, Mary, is attending the appointment. Case Details: The patient is a 10 week old male with a positive newborn screen for cystic fibrosis who was referred to the genetics center by his pediatrician for further evaluation and discussion of genetic testing. Patient Name: Liam Ventura Parent Names: Mary and Sam Ventura Medical History: Pregnancy:UncomplicatedFull term (39 wks) via NSVDNo exposures or complications reportedNormal prenatal ultrasounds Newborn Screening:Elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT)Two CFTR variants identified on screening panel Development: Appropriate for ageGrowth: Slightly below weight percentileSymptoms: Mild cough, parents believe it’s due to the change of weatherSpecialists Seen: Pediatrician only so farMedications/Treatments: None currentlyTherapies: None currently Family History: Ancestry: Dad- Irish Mom- Af. AmericanNo consanguinity, birth defects, or known genetic conditionsNo history of cystic fibrosis or early infant deathsOne paternal cousin with male infertility Prior Carrier Results: Dad- F508del Carrier Mom- Negative …. After first visit with Multidisciplinary team following variant is identified: c.1675G>A p.A559T Pediatric Mock Session Outline Contracting Greetings and introductionsReason for referral to genetic counseling (positive newborn screening for CF)Overview of session and what will be discussed: “I’m going to ask a lot of questions about when Liam was in your belly, up until now, as well as medical and family history questions just to make sure we have a full picture and aren’t missing anything. After that Dr.X will come in and do a physical/sweat test on Liam and we can talk about genetic testing options, how does that sound/any questions before we get started?” Address patient questions or concerns such as:“What does this mean for our baby?”“Does this mean he has cystic fibrosis?”“Could this happen again in another pregnancy?”“Did we do something to cause this?” Medical Intake Review pregnancy and delivery historyReview newborn historyReview of systems with focus on:Respiratory symptomsDigestive symptoms and growth patternsFrequency of ...
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    43 mins
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