Answers from the Lab Mayo Clinic Laboratories

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss why measles remains a virus of concern, how avian flu continues to spread, and new developments in the federal regulation of laboratory-developed tests.
Their discussion includes:
How a person infected with measles recently traveled through a U.S. airport, and the severity of the measles virus.The continued deadly spread of avian flu among wild birds, domestic poultry, and cattle, and the infection of a third human.Avian flu vaccine development and the importance of emergency preparedness.The American Clinical Laboratory Association’s (ACLA) lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency’s final rule to treat laboratory-developed tests as medical devices.

Divyanshu Dubey, M.B.B.S., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique PDE10A and TRIM46 assays facilitate care for central nervous system disorders triggered by cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for managing disabling neurological symptoms and malignancy.
(00:32) Could you tell us a bit about your background and your role at Mayo Clinic?
 
(01:26) How do the tests that are coming live relate to the larger disease state of neurological disorders?
 
(02:44) Can you share a little bit about the methodology we're using for these particular biomarkers? 
 
(05:15) How was PDE10A discovered?
 
(06:48) Anything you would add?
 
(07:50) Remind us which phenotype-specific assays these biomarkers are being added to, and how physicians should determine whether this testing is appropriate?
 
(09:55) What does early detection of these biomarkers mean for the patient's prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, etc.?
 
(12:33) What are you most excited about with the launch of these tests?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Peter Lucas, M.D., Ph.D., vice chair of Research for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) at Mayo Clinic. 
Their discussion includes:
 Dr. Lucas’ extensive pathology and research background and his journey to Mayo Clinic. His goals for expanding DLMP’s research activities and advancing innovation in diagnostics.How laboratory research has evolved over his career and how researchers can continue to make progress despite obstacles.The importance of having good mentors, collaborating with others, staying curious, and remaining persistent to achieve goals.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and clinical virologist at Mayo Clinic. They discuss the widespread outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu and the new “FLiRT” variants of COVID-19.
Specific topics of discussion include:
The current situation of avian flu activity across the world and throughout the United States, including outbreaks in poultry, U.S. dairy cows, and one recent human case.How this outbreak is different than previous ones, and the current public health risk.Resources for testing humans for avian flu.What we know about the new “FLiRT” variants of COVID-19 and how they might impact public health in the months ahead.

Robert Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Stephanie Smoley, CG(ASCP), and Beth Pitel, M.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' augmented MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel better profiles tumor genetics. Defining tumor pathogenesis can guide targeted cancer therapy. 
(00:31) Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background — Beth?
 
(01:24) Stephanie, what about you?
 
(01:42) Dr. Jenkins, a little bit about yourself and your background, please?
 
(02:25) Could you provide a brief overview of the new MayoComplete Solid Tumor assay and the enhancements we've provided?
(04:02) What changes did you incorporate into the test?
 
(04:57) Why are copy number variants and loss of heterozygosity important, and how are they used in patient care?
 
(07:12) Does including these genes guide patient care in a more valuable way?
 
(07:51) What alternative test options are available and how do they compare to the MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel?
 
(10:27) Is having many options available in a one-stop shop important to help guide patient management?
 
(11:57) Do you have anything else you'd like to add about the MCSTP enhancements and what the new test assay will deliver in terms of clinical utility or patient care?

Rapidly progressive dementia covers many conditions, including Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD). Gregory (Gregg) Day, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new evaluations help identify the cause of rapidly progressive dementia, to guide prognosis and treatment decisions.
Show notes
Speaker 3: (00:32) Can you provide a little background about your role here at Mayo Clinic and experience with this disease state?
 
Speaker 3: (01:21) Can you give us an understanding of rapidly progressive dementia? How is it different and what should physicians be looking for?
 
Speaker 3: (03:13) You mentioned "syndromic" and that there are several diseases underneath that, one of them being Creutzfeldt-Jacob. Can you explain the others in a bit more detail? What makes them each unique under the heading of rapidly progressive dementias?
 
Speaker 3: (05:29) Does that encompass it: prion diseases, then the neurodegenerative bucket, then autoimmune?
 
Speaker 3: (06:03) Can you speak to the components of the new Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease-specific evaluation and the rapidly progressive dementia evaluation, and the assays that they're performed on?
 
Speaker 3: (09:30) Anything you want to add to that summary of the assays' components?
 
Speaker 3: (11:09) Can you explain the role — or lack thereof — of the 14-3-3 protein biomarker, according to our research?
 
Speaker 3: (13:44) Which patients should get this testing, and who should not?
 
Speaker 3: (17:22) What does it mean if the results come back positive and if the results come back negative?
 
Speaker 3: (21:57) What are you most excited about with these tests?