In this special episode of DNA Today, Kira Dineen sits down with Mayte Garcia — artist, author, internationally acclaimed dancer, actress, singer, choreographer, philanthropist, and the former wife of Prince — for a deeply personal conversation about love, loss, legacy, and the rare genetic condition Pfeiffer syndrome type 2.

You may know Prince as one of the most influential musicians of all time, but in this episode, we step beyond the public image and into a far more intimate story: Prince and Mayte as expectant parents, the profound love they shared for their son Amiir, and the devastating medical journey that followed after his birth.

Mayte reflects on pregnancy, the bond she and Prince formed with Amiir before he was born, the difficult decisions they faced, and what it meant to navigate a rare diagnosis in the 1990s before information was as accessible as it is today. 

Kira also provides helpful context on Pfeiffer syndrome, including its genetics, symptoms, and why Amiir’s diagnosis of the severe type 2 form carried such serious medical challenges.

This conversation also explores grief — both private and public — as Mayte shares what it was like to mourn Amiir while under the intense pressure of public life. She offers moving insight for parents who feel pressure to hide their pain, and reflects on how writing her memoir, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, became part of her healing.

The episode closes on legacy: not only Prince’s legacy as a global music icon, but his humanitarian spirit and the work that continues through Live 4 Love Charities, the nonprofit founded in memory of Amiir and rooted in Prince’s philanthropic vision.

This month marks 10 years since Prince passed away, and also 30 years since their son Amiir died. Mayte is honoring them both through a special Live 4 Love Charities Glam Slam Benefit in Los Angeles on April 21st, 2026.

We Discuss:

• Prince and Mayte’s bond with Amiir during pregnancy
• Why they declined amniocentesis during the pregnancy
• What Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 is and how it differs from other forms
• The genetics of Pfeiffer syndrome, including FGFR2 and de novo variants
• The medical complexity of Amiir’s care after birth
• Prince as a father behind the public persona
• Grief, public image, and the pressure to “perform” wellness
• Mayte’s memoir and why she chose to tell this story
• The legacy of Amiir
• Prince’s humanitarian legacy beyond music
• Mayte’s leadership of Live 4 Love Charities
• The upcoming Glam Slam Benefit on April 21st honoring Prince’s life and impact

About Mayte Garcia

Mayte Garcia is a Puerto Rican dancer, choreographer, actress, singer, author, and philanthropist. A professional belly dancer since age three, she became internationally known as Prince’s muse, collaborator, featured dancer for the New Power Generation, and later his first wife. She is the author of the memoir The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.

Mayte has appeared in numerous film and television projects, including Hollywood Exes, Army Wives, Psych, The Closer, and Nip/Tuck. She now leads Live 4 Love Charities, continuing a mission rooted in compassion, service, creative empowerment, and honoring the legacy of both Prince and their son, Amiir, who died from a genetic condition called Pfeiffer Syndrome. 

Resources & Links

• • Mayte Garcia’s memoir: The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince
  • Live 4 Love Charities
    • Love In Action Program
    • Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (S.A.I.L.S.), receipt of a $10,000 donation from the Love in Action Program. You can watch Mayte Garcia call the program to break the good news here. 
    • Live 4 Music Program
    • Live for Dance Program 
  • Glam Slam Benefit Tickets

• Pfeiffer Syndrome:

• MedlinePlus’ Page 

• • NORD Page
  • Born A Hero, Research Foundation for all FGFR conditions 

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#281 Tay-Sachs with Dr. Matthew Goldstein (regarding his late daughter Havi)

#315 Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death via Genetics with Drs. Liebman & McNally (regarding Dr. Leibman’s late niece) 

 

Upcoming Live 4 Love Charities Event on April 21st

On April 21, 2026, Live 4 Love Charities will host its Glam Slam Benefit at the W Hollywood, an evening dedicated to celebrating Prince’s lasting cultural and philanthropic legacy.

The event will feature performances by Paisley Park alumni, joined by the Mpls All Star Band made up of former Paisley Park musicians, with additional special guests including Taylor Dayne, Sheila E, and more to be announced.

Now led by Mayte Garcia, Live 4 Love Charities continues the mission Prince began: uplifting communities through compassion, creative empowerment, youth development, arts education, and healing. Through programs like Live 4 Dance and Live 4 Music, the organization helps mentor and empower the next generation of young artists.

You can get tickets for their Grand Slam Benefit here. 

Learn more about the charity and the Glam Slam Benefit here:
https://live4lovecharities.org/

 

Connect With Us: 

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 390 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

Danon disease is a rare, X-linked metabolic disorder that strikes at the heart of cellular function. Caused by mutations in the LAMP2 gene, it disrupts the body’s ability to clear cellular waste (autophagy), leading to devastating and often life-threatening cardiac complications. Because the disease is so rare, understanding its natural progression, and how to stop it, is the current "North Star" for researchers and clinicians alike.

In this episode, we are joined by two world-renowned experts to discuss the current landscape of Danon disease research: Dr. Barry Greenberg and Dr. Cordula Wolf. We dive deep into the mechanics of the disease, the importance of the LAMPLIGHT-NH observational study, and the groundbreaking LAMPLIGHT-2 interventional gene therapy trial.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Barry Greenberg (US): A pioneer in heart failure research and Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at UCSD.
• Dr. Cordula Wolf (Germany): A leading expert in pediatric cardiology and congenital heart defects, specializing in the clinical management of metabolic cardiomyopathies.

Understanding the Disease Course

Danon disease is fundamentally a "traffic jam" at the cellular level. Without a functional LAMP2 gene, lysosomes cannot fuse with autophagosomes, leading to a buildup of cellular debris.

• The Impact: This manifests primarily as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle weakness, and intellectual disability.
• The Cardiac Threat: For many patients, especially males, the disease progresses rapidly toward end-stage heart failure or sudden cardiac death, often requiring heart transplants at a young age.

Resources & Clinical Trial Links

If you are treating a patient with a confirmed or suspected LAMP2 pathogenic variant, your referral to a study site can change the trajectory of their care.

• Observational (LAMPLIGHT-NH)
  • Best for gathering data without changing current management.
  • Natural History Study (LAMPLIGHT-NH): ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06214507
• Interventional (LAMPLIGHT-2)
  • A Phase 2 trial for those meeting specific cardiac and age requirements.
  • Interventional Study (RP-A501): ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06092034

• Official Study Website: LAMPLIGHT Studies

 

Connect With Us:

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 385 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

What happens when a rare, devastating genetic condition impacts not just one person in a family, but three siblings? In this episode of DNA Today, we’re joined by siblings Faith Sinclair and Dan Peach who both have sialidosis. 

Sialidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that often leaves families searching for answers for years. Faith and Dan share their deeply personal journey with the condition, from the initial struggles of seeking a diagnosis for their brother, Antonn, to the cutting-edge gene therapy research currently underway.

 

Inside This Episode:

The Diagnostic Odyssey Faith and Dan share the emotional impact of living with Sialidosis and the long road to a definitive diagnosis. We explore the uncertainty that many rare disease families face and how receiving an answer after years of "red flags" reshaped their lives.

Understanding Sialidosis (The Science) We break down the clinical and cellular mechanics of Sialidosis. We discuss:

• The role of the NEU1 gene and how mutations lead to cellular dysfunction.
• The two primary forms of the condition (Type I and Type II) and their clinical presentations.
• Why Sialidosis is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked by clinicians.

Daily Life & Advocacy What does it look like to manage a rare condition day-to-day? Faith offers a candid look at the balance between medical management and the psychosocial burden on patients and siblings. Dan discusses how his personal and familial connection fueled the mission of Cure Sialidosis.

The Future of Treatment: Gene Therapy We look toward the horizon of rare disease research. Sialidosis is currently entering the pre-clinical gene therapy stage, where the goal is to correct the NEU1 gene. Dan provides an update on the status of enzyme replacement and the global drive to raise funds for manufacturing the treatments required for human trials scheduled for 2026.

 

About Our Guests:

Dan Peach is a founding member of Cure Sialidosis and a board member of Cure Mucolipidosis. As one of five siblings, three of whom were affected by Sialidosis, his connection to the disorder is profound. Since helping facilitate the diagnosis of his brother Antonn and sister Faith, Dan has become a dedicated patient-researcher. He leads a global community of patients, clinicians, and researchers, collaborating worldwide to address the root causes of the disease and improve outcomes for all affected.

Faith Sinclair is a patient advocate living with Sialidosis, and sister to Dan. Her journey from years of medical uncertainty to a definitive diagnosis has made her a vital voice in the rare disease space, dedicated to sharing the unique perspectives of patients and their families.  

 

Relevant Resources: 

CureSialidosis.org

Kiwi siblings battling rare genetic condition

Sialidosis therapy: Kiwi siblings fundraise for injection against disease that killed brother - NZ Herald 

 

More Lysosomal Storage Disorder Episodes on DNA Today:

#380 “Rare Rebels”: When Parents Drive Science, The Story of MPS I

#376 Why Females with Fabry Disease Aren’t “Just Carriers” 

#372 Fighting for Time: Hunter Syndrome (MPS Type II), Gene Therapy & Urgent Advocacy

#292 TALEN® Gene Editing Technology with Cellectis (MPS type I Research)

#281 Tay-Sachs with Dr. Matthew Goldstein

#171 Farber Disease with Aceragen 

 

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 385 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 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 [email protected].

In this special live recording from The University of Connecticut’s 2026 Rare Disease Symposium, host Kira Dineen, moderates a powerful panel featuring individuals living with rare conditions. The conversation moves beyond clinical diagnostics to explore the "hidden work" of navigating the healthcare system, the trauma of medical dismissal, and the fierce advocacy required to survive and thrive in a complex medical landscape.

Shoutout to the lead organizer Anthony Zuo for putting this conference together. 

 

The Panel (in order of appearance) 

 

David (Dave) Leeds: Lives with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) with normal C1 inhibitor (specifically the HS3ST6 gene mutation), a type of HAE that affects fewer than 20 people worldwide. He also advocates for his son, who has Specific Antibody Deficiency.

 

Kate Tokarski: A social worker and former paramedic living with three conditions: vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, and SUNCT syndrome (short-acting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing). She navigates a "rare family" dynamic, including children affected by gastroparesis, keratoconus, juvenile arthritis, celiac disease, ampfield pain syndrome, COPA syndrome, and median arcuate ligament syndrome. 

 

Jill Gassman Zullo: Lives with Sinus Nasal Mucosal Melanoma, a rare cancer affecting less than 1% of the population. She is the author of Brokenly Beautiful. 

 

Jonathan Cappiello: After 20 years of having a misdiagnosis, he was correctly identified as having a nano-rare disease, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase deficiency. He is also the host of 1 of 20 podcast.

 

Topics Discussed  The Burden of Expertise

A recurring theme is the "expert patient." Panelists describe the exhaustion of knowing more about their conditions than the providers treating them. Kira emphasizes the importance of medical professionals being comfortable saying, "I don't know," rather than muddling through an answer.

Navigating the Emergency Room

David describes the danger of ER protocols. For HAE patients, standard allergy treatments like EpiPens and steroids do nothing for their Bradykinin-based swelling, which can be fatal if it affects the throat. The panel discusses "Medical PTSD" and why the ER is often a place of last resort.

The Battle with Insurance and Systems

Kate shares a heartbreaking story of "Systemic Trauma":

• The Insurance Loop: Her daughter was denied a life-changing medication due to a bureaucratic glitch.
• The School-to-Court Pipeline: Because she missed school due to her autoimmune crises, Kate was reported for neglect, and her 16-year-old was read her Miranda Rights in family court for being a "truancy outlier."

The Power of Community and Storytelling

Jonathan discusses his journey as a science podcaster, using his background in film and journalism to give a platform to others with rare diagnoses. The panel highlights how storytelling is a form of survival and a tool for systemic change.

 

Relevant Resources: 

• • Jill Gassman Zullo’s book Brokenly Beautiful

• Jonathan Cappiello’s podcast 1 of 20 podcast

• Kate Tokarski’s poem I Was 'That Mom' 
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
• Undiagnosed Disease Network (UDN)
• Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

 

Relevant Rare Disease Patient Advocacy Stories on DNA Today:

#380 “Rare Rebels”: When Parents Drive Science, The Story of MPS I

#371 Growing Old Too Fast: A Mother’s Fight for Cockayne Syndrome Advocacy

#372 Fighting for Time: Hunter Syndrome, Gene Therapy & Urgent Advocacy

#356 From Statehouse to Capitol Hill: A Guide to Effective Advocacy for Rare Diseases

#342 $10 Million for a Cure: Donating Mr. Beast’s “Beast Games” Winnings For Son’s Creatine Transporter Deficiency

Connect With Us:  

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 385 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

What does it mean to truly care for a child with achondroplasia beyond just their growth differences? Achondroplasia is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia, but it is so much more than height. Children and adults with achondroplasia can have medical complications that require lifelong monitoring and the need for lifelong multidisciplinary care.

This is the second episode in our three-part series on achondroplasia, sponsored by BioMarin. In our first episode, (Episode 359 of DNA Today) Dr. Janet Legare helped us explore the basics of achondroplasia and the role of genetics in diagnosis and family counseling. In this conversation, we’re shifting the focus to what living with achondroplasia actually looks like day to day, from managing medical complications to coordinating care across multiple specialties.

Joining us is Dr. Ricki Carroll, a complex care and palliative care physician on the multidisciplinary skeletal dysplasia team in Delaware. Dr. Carroll brings expertise in providing a medical home for children with skeletal dysplasias, with a special focus on pain and symptom management. She also co-leads a skeletal dysplasia consultative service, and her training in bioethics adds a unique perspective on delivering compassionate, individualized care.

In This Episode, We Discuss

• Building a Medical Home
  • What a “medical home” means for children with achondroplasia
  • Common concerns families raise after a new diagnosis, beyond height
  • Supporting families early while planning for long-term care
• Co-Morbidities & Clinical Complications
  • Key conditions clinicians should monitor in infants and children, including:
    • Foramen magnum stenosis
    • Hydrocephalus
    • Sleep apnea
    • ENT issues like recurrent ear infections and hearing loss
  • Orthopedic challenges such as kyphosis, spinal stenosis, and bowed legs
    
  • How chronic pain presents and is managed across childhood and adulthood
• Living With Achondroplasia
  • How medical needs evolve from childhood into adolescence and adulthood
  • The role of fatigue, mobility limitations, and accessibility in daily life
  • Balancing medical care with childhood independence and normalcy
  • Under-recognized burdens that significantly affect patients and families
• Multidisciplinary Care in Practice
  • What a full skeletal dysplasia care team looks like
  • How palliative care supports symptom management, decision-making, and quality of life
  • Coordinating care across specialties like orthopedics, neurosurgery, ENT, and audiology
  • Preventing communication breakdowns between providers
  • Helping families navigate complex choices around interventions and surgeries
• Looking Ahead
  • Gaps in current care models for achondroplasia
  • How emerging treatments are changing long-term planning conversations
  • Key takeaways for providers who may only occasionally care for patients with achondroplasia

 

Our Guest Dr. Ricki Carroll:

Dr. Ricki Carroll is a complex care and palliative care physician on the skeletal dysplasia and palliative care teams at a hospital in Delaware. Dr. Carroll works to provide a medical home and manage care for children with a wide array of skeletal dysplasias. Her background in palliative medicine allows her to focus on pain and symptom management needs for these children, teens and young adults. Dr. Carroll also leads the skeletal dysplasia consultative service, providing care for infants and children with skeletal dysplasias who are in the hospital. Additionally, drawing upon her Master’s in Bioethics, she is currently serving as co-Chair of an Ethics and Patients’ Rights Committee.

 

Achondroplasia Resources: 

• Little People of America (LPA) 
• Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) 
• International Achondroplasia Forum 
• Achondroplasia GeneReviews 
• Achondroplasia Growth Charts
• Ireland PJ, Johnson S, Donaghey S, Johnston L, McGill J, Zankl A, Ware RS, Pacey V, Ault J, Savarirayan R, Sillence D, Thompson E, Townshend S. Developmental milestones in infants and young Australasian children with achondroplasia. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2010 Jan;31(1):41-7. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181c72052. PMID: 20081435. 
• Julie Hoover-Fong, Charles I. Scott, Marilyn C. Jones, COMMITTEE ON GENETICS, Emily Chen, Tracy L. Trotter, Susan A. Berry, Leah W. Burke, Timothy A. Geleske, Rizwan Hamid, Robert J. Hopkin, Wendy J. Introne, Michael J. Lyons, Angela Scheuerle, Joan M. Stoler; Health Supervision for People With Achondroplasia. Pediatrics June 2020; 145 (6): e20201010. 10.1542/peds.2020-1010
• Nadia Merchant, Julie Hoover-Fong, Ricki S Carroll, Approach to the Patient with Achondroplasia—New Considerations for Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 110, Issue 7, July 2025, Pages e2309–e2316, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf017 

 

Relevant Skeletal Dysplasia DNA Today Episodes: 

• #192 Osteogenesis Imperfecta with The Middle’s Atticus Shaffer 

• #301 Dwarfism with Colleen Gioffreda 

• • #348: NIPT Beyond the Basics: Screening for Single-Gene Conditions (including skeletal dysplasia disorders) 

• #359 Breaking Down Achondroplasia: A Pediatrician in Clinical Genetics Explains (Biomarin’s Sponsored Series First Installment)

 

Be on the lookout for our third and final episode in this series about achondroplasia sponsored by BioMarin. 

 

Connect With Us:

Luckily, you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, 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, 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

To recap the vibrant American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) held in Baltimore, host Kira Dineen is joined by presenters to capture what they spoke about at the conference! 

 

We explore the latest advancements in whole genomic sequencing (WGS) including the integration of newer tools like optical genome mapping (OGM), long-read sequencing and RNA sequencing. Then we learn about how AI is helping to sift through all the data provided by WGS by prioritizing variants so genomic analysts can find the causative variant faster. We wrap up by talking about how all these tools can be ethically used to advance equity in genomic testing.

 

Our episode is broken into three segments…

 

• Baylor Genetics’ announce their Enhanced Whole Genome Sequencing with their Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Christine Eng and their Chief Growth Officer Chris Sands
• Illumina teaches us about their variant interpretation software that utilizes AI with a staff product marketing manager, Talia Silver and a senior staff medical science liaison, Dr. Livia Loureiro
• Ambry Genetics discusses advancing equity in genomic testing with a Clinical Strategy Manager in Medical Affairs, Carrie Horton, and their Translational Genomics Director for Rare Diseases, Dr. Seth Berger 

 

Relevant Resources: 

 

Baylor Genetics Segment Resources: 

• Baylor Genetics Announces Enhanced Whole Genome Sequencing Test
• Baylor Genetics’ Enhanced Whole Genome Sequencing Technologies 
• AAP Guidelines: Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay

 

Illumina Segment Resources: 

• Genomewide Sequencing Ontario Project 
• Illumina’s Emedgene variant interpretation software 
• Illumina’s Grand Rounds in Genomic Medicine 
• Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) 

 

Ambry Genetics Segment Resources: 

• Ambry Genetics’ Patient for Life website and white paper
• Ambry Genetics’ Announcing Their One Millionth Test Leveraging RNA to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy and Yield 
• Dr. Seth Berger’s publication last week on “Identification of de novo variants from parent-proband duos via long-read sequencing” in the American Journal of Human Genetics 
• Ambry Genetics’ publication in January 2026 on “Ten years of exome sequencing and reanalysis among racial, ethnic, and ancestral groups: The importance of equitable reanalysis access”

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project

#231 ChatGPT and AI In Genetics with Daniel Uribe

#285 AI To Enhance Variant Curation with Daniel Uribe

#297 Exome Reanalysis with Ambry Genetics

#303 RNA Analysis with Ambry Genetics

#325 Revolutionizing Variant Curation with MAVEs

#334 ACMG 2025 Recap

#358 AGBT Precision Health 2025 Meeting Recaps and Reflections

#384 Beyond DNA: How RNAseq Resolves VUS and Shortens the Diagnostic Odyssey

 

Upcoming Conferences:

In November, we will be back in Baltimore for the 2026 National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) annual conference, but before that we have a few other conferences on the books. Check out our conference schedule so far for 2026…

• Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) Precision Health in September in San Diego 
• Podcast Movement in September in New York City 
• American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) in October in Montreal
• National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) in November in Baltimore  

 

Connect With Us:

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Except when a conference ends on a weekend ;) Until then, why not dive into our library of over 385 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

Despite our podcast name, we’re going beyond DNA in this episode and into the next frontier of genetic diagnostics: RNA sequencing and multi-omics.

While DNA sequencing often reveals variants of uncertain significance (VUS), RNA sequencing provides functional evidence that can resolve uncertainty, uncover splicing abnormalities, and ultimately shorten the diagnostic odyssey for patients with rare diseases.

Joining for this in-person podcast episode is Dr. Christine Eng, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at Baylor Genetics, and Vice Chair for Diagnostic Laboratory Affairs at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Eng has been a pioneer in implementing genomics into clinical practice, and her work is shining a light on how RNAseq and multi-omic approaches are transforming the way we diagnose and care for patients.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• RNAseq 101: What RNA sequencing is and how it complements DNA sequencing.
• Splicing Abnormalities: What RNAseq can reveal that DNA sequencing may miss.
• Clinical Impact: Real-world examples, including a case where RNAseq reclassified a VUS and changed patient care.
• Diagnostic Yield: How often Baylor Genetics sees clinical benefit from RNAseq.
• Workflow Questions: Should RNAseq be a reflex after WES/WGS fails to identify a pathogenic variant?
• Technical Realities: Key challenges including tissue type, RNA quality, and turnaround time.
• When Results Are Inconclusive: How to handle unexpected or unclear RNA findings.
• Beyond RNAseq: How multi-omics (including transcriptomics and metabolomics) are beginning to integrate into clinical practice.
• Implementation Barriers: Challenges to scaling multi-omic testing in routine labs.
• Future of Clinical Genomics: Dr. Eng’s predictions for RNAseq and multi-omics adoption over the next decade.
  
  

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Baylor Genetics here
• Baylor Genetics Webinar: From Symptoms to Sequencing: Diagnostic Insights from 3 Pediatric Genome Sequencing Cases
• AAP’s Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay: Clinical Report
• Baylor Genetics Applauds New Guidance from American Academy of Pediatrics for Genome and Exome Sequencing to be used as First-Tier Tests for Children with Certain Developmental Delays
• Dr. Christine Eng’s Presentation “How Whole Genome Sequencing Can Lead to Early Diagnosis and Intervention”
• Zhao S, Macakova K, Sinson JC, Dai H, Rosenfeld J, Zapata GE, Li S, Ward PA, Wang C, Qu C, Maywald B; Undiagnosed Diseases Network; Lee B, Eng C, Liu P. Clinical validation of RNA sequencing for Mendelian disorder diagnostics. Am J Hum Genet. 2025 Apr 3;112(4):779-792. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2025.02.006. Epub 2025 Mar 4. PMID: 40043707; PMCID: PMC12081282.
• Undiagnosed Disease Network

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#358 AGBT Precision Health 2025 Meeting Recaps and Reflections

 

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 380 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

 

As Rare Disease Month comes to a close and Rare Disease Day approaches, we are turning our focus beyond the United States to explore what rare disease care looks like in Brazil, and how genomics is reshaping the diagnostic journey.

 

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the rare disease landscape in Brazil, including how patients access genetic testing within a public healthcare system, the barriers families face compared to those in the U.S., and how whole genome sequencing (WGS) is accelerating diagnoses that once took years or even decades.

 

Joining us is Dr. João Bosco de Oliveira Filho, a physician-scientist who helped lead Brazil’s national rare disease genomics initiative, Genomas Raros, and now continues this work through his laboratory, NeoGenomica. We’re also joined by Victor Camillo from MGI, who shares a global technology perspective on how large-scale sequencing efforts can expand access to rare disease diagnostics, especially in middle-income countries.

 

Together, we discuss:

• How rare disease care in Brazil compares to the U.S.
• Why whole genome sequencing is a game changer for undiagnosed patients
• Lessons learned from national-scale genomics initiatives
• The role of public–private partnerships in sustaining innovation
• What the future holds for rare disease diagnostics worldwide
  
  

Relevant Resources: 

• MGI Tech
• MGI’s Sequencing Platforms 
• NeoGenomica
• NeoGenomica implements the world's most powerful genetic test, focusing on accuracy and speed in diagnoses.
• 100,000 Genomes Project by Genomics England
• Coelho, A. V. C., Mascaro-Cordeiro, B., Lucon, D. R., Nóbrega, M. S., de Souza Reis, R., Bertollo de Alexandre, R., Moura, L. M. S., Oliveira, G. S., Guedes, R. L. M., Caraciolo, M. P., Zurro, N. B., Cervato, M. C., & Oliveira, J. B. (2022). The Brazilian Rare Genomes Project: Validation of Whole Genome Sequencing for Rare Diseases Diagnosis. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 9, Article 821582. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.821582
• Wojcik MH, Lemire G, Berger E, Zaki MS, Wissmann M, Win W, White SM, Weisburd B, Wieczorek D, Waddell LB, Verboon JM, VanNoy GE, Töpf A, Tan TY, Syrbe S, Strehlow V, Straub V, Stenton SL, Snow H, Singer-Berk M, Silver J, Shril S, Seaby EG, Schneider R, Sankaran VG, Sanchis-Juan A, Russell KA, Reinson K, Ravenscroft G, Radtke M, Popp D, Polster T, Platzer K, Pierce EA, Place EM, Pajusalu S, Pais L, Õunap K, Osei-Owusu I, Opperman H, Okur V, Oja KT, O'Leary M, O'Heir E, Morel CF, Merkenschlager A, Marchant RG, Mangilog BE, Madden JA, MacArthur D, Lovgren A, Lerner-Ellis JP, Lin J, Laing N, Hildebrandt F, Hentschel J, Groopman E, Goodrich J, Gleeson JG, Ghaoui R, Genetti CA, Gburek-Augustat J, Gazda HT, Ganesh VS, Ganapathi M, Gallacher L, Fu JM, Evangelista E, England E, Donkervoort S, DiTroia S, Cooper ST, Chung WK, Christodoulou J, Chao KR, Cato LD, Bujakowska KM, Bryen SJ, Brand H, Bönnemann CG, Beggs AH, Baxter SM, Bartolomaeus T, Agrawal PB, Talkowski M, Austin-Tse C, Abou Jamra R, Rehm HL, O'Donnell-Luria A. Genome Sequencing for Diagnosing Rare Diseases. N Engl J Med. 2024 Jun 6;390(21):1985-1997. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2314761. PMID: 38838312; PMCID: PMC11350637.

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#285 AI To Enhance Variant Curation with Daniel Uribe

#355 How Genomics Is Transforming Rare Disease Diagnosis in Turkey with MGI Tech

#364 Breast Cancer Genetic Testing in Italy: A Curated Gene Panel with MGI 

#379 Global Cancer Diagnostics: Building High-Quality Cancer Genomic Testing with MGI

 

Connect With Us: 

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 380 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

We are ecstatic to finally share that our host Kira Dineen is also hosting a brand new podcast that just launched, The Persistence Lab. 

 

This podcast, sponsored by AbbVie, pulls back the curtain on the hard, human work of health care innovation. Each episode dives into a real problem in medicine or health care and follows the people who are working to develop solutions. With immersive sound design and a three-act structure that puts story first, this series showcases the fresh thinking, bold ideas, and the unexpected paths that help turn optimism into outcomes. For U.S. audiences only.

 

To celebrate the launch we are sharing the first episode with you here on DNA Today, but be sure you are following The Persistence Lab on your favorite podcast platform using this link!  Don’t miss all the episodes this season! 

 

In this first episode of “The Persistence Lab,” we set out to answer, can we find cures faster? 

 

Our health and well-being impact every element of our lives. For patients with some of the most difficult-to-treat medical conditions, a cure is what they’re hoping for. How can we accelerate drug development to spur progress and turn bold ideas into real breakthroughs? The Persistence Lab launches with this episode to look at how AbbVie is empowering scientists to boldly rethink what it means to cure disease and accelerate care for patients. Please note that this episode is intended for U.S. audiences only.

 

 

Episode Discussion Topics:

• The importance of clear definitions: functional vs. complete cures
• Why developing universal medical cures is incredibly complex 
• The role of clinical trials in developing potential medical cures
• How AbbVie’s Pathway to Cures program fosters collaboration and innovation
• The transformative impact of precision medicine and reverse translation
• How AI, machine learning, and digital tools are helping scientists in the discovery and development of potential therapies
• The emotional and practical significance of potential medical cures for patients and scientists

Relevant Resources: 

• Listen to The Persistence Lab
• AbbVie: Pathway to Cures
• AbbVie: Can We Find Cures Faster Article
• AbbVie: AI & Data Convergence

 

Don’t forget to follow The Persistence Lab on your favorite podcast platform using this link!  

In celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday on February 12th, we participated in Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County’s (HFFC) of Connecticut’s Darwin Day event! HFFC brought together science nerds to learn about evolution.

In this special live episode of DNA Today, we’re sharing highlights from HFFC’s 18th Annual Darwin Day Dinner in Connecticut, a celebration of curiosity, science, and scientists held the Saturday before Darwin’s birthday on February 12th. Our host Kira Dineen led a live fireside chat with the keynote speaker from the distinguished evolutionary biologist Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten. She also introduced Senator Richard Blumenthal who gave a speech about the importance of science now more than ever. 

Dr. Gogarten, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, is known for his groundbreaking work on the early evolution of life, horizontal gene transfer, and rooting the Tree of Life. His research has transformed how scientists understand microbial evolution and the complex genetic relationships that connect all living organisms.

This episode captures select moments from the live Darwin Day program, where we explore how Charles Darwin’s famous concept of the “entangled bank” still shapes modern evolutionary biology, and where today’s science has gone far beyond what Darwin could have imagined.

Together, Kira Dineen and Dr. J Peter Gogarten discuss what Darwin got right about natural selection, what modern genomics has revealed about rapid evolutionary change, and why horizontal gene transfer continues to reshape our understanding of how life evolves. The conversation also touches on real-world applications, from antibiotic resistance to emerging genetic technologies, and how curiosity drives scientific discovery across generations.

The evening also featured reflections on the importance of science, humanism, and evidence-based thinking, highlighting the enduring relevance of Darwin’s ideas in today’s world.

 

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

• An introduction to Darwin’s life, his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and the creation of On the Origin of Species
• Exploration of natural selection and Darwin’s enduring influence on modern biology
• How the understanding of genetics, from Mendel to genomics, expands Darwin’s theories
• The role of horizontal gene transfer in microbial evolution and its significance
• Highlights from Connecticut’s 2026 Darwin Day celebration
• Charles Darwin’s “entangled bank” and its relevance today
• What Darwin got right—and what modern science has updated
• Natural selection at the gene level vs. organism level
• Why evolution isn’t always gradual: rapid change and hybridization
• Horizontal vs. vertical gene transfer explained
• How viruses, bacteria, and other mechanisms move genes across species
• The role of horizontal gene transfer in microbial evolution
• Real-world implications for medicine, antibiotic resistance, and biotechnology
• How curiosity and early inspiration shape scientific careers
• The importance of science communication and public engagement

 

About Our Guest:
Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on the early evolution of life, horizontal gene transfer, and selfish genetic elements. Dr. Gogarten is widely recognized for rooting the Tree of Life and for identifying horizontal gene transfer as a major force in microbial evolution. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA’s Exobiology Program, and the Israel-U.S. Binational Science Foundation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

 

About the Event:
This episode was recorded live at HFFC's 18th Annual Darwin Day Dinner, held February 7th, 2026. The event celebrated Charles Darwin’s legacy through science, discussion, and community, featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten on evolution within Darwin’s “tangled bank” and the complex genetic relationships that connect life on Earth. 

Please join us at next year’s event which will be held in February 2027 in Connecticut. Stay tuned for more details through the show, or directly on the Connecticut Darwin Day website. 

 

Relevant Resources: 

• Gogarten Lab at The University of Connecticut
• Dr. Johann Peter Gogarten’s LinkedIn Page
• “Charles Darwin: History’s Most Famous Biologist” via Natural History Museum 
• International Darwin Day Foundation 
• The Connecticut Darwin Day website
• Event Host: Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County (HFFC) in Connecticut
• HFFC’s Podcast, Humanism Today

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

• #100 Carl Zimmer on Human Heredity 
• #134 Dr. Kat Arney on Cancer Evolution
• #335 Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Us: How DNA Reveals Evolution

Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network:

DNA Today and Humanism Today are shows on science podcast network Gene Pool Media. Thanks to everyone who has supported the network by following us @GenePoolMedia on social. Shoutout to all the podcasts in our network, you should check them via the links below!

• Humanism Today
  RealPharma
• Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD
• DNA Dialogues
• It Happened To Me
• All Access DNA
• #ThroughTheGenes
• Demystifying Genetics
• PhenoTips Speaker Series 
• Parálisis Cerebral Respuestas
• Gods and Genes
• Rare Rebels

If you have a science podcast and are interested in joining the network, go to GenePoolMedia.com and click the “Apply” tab at the top right. Or just email us directly at [email protected]. We’d love to chat with you about the benefits of joining the network.

Here and there we have been sharing episodes from other podcasts in the Gene Pool Media network right here on DNA Today. 

 

Connect With Us:

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 380 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected]. 

To kick off Rare Disease Month we are thrilled to share the pilot of the newest podcast in our Gene Pool Media science podcast network, Rare Rebels. 

 

The Rare Rebels™ Podcast shares raw, unscripted conversations with patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates who are changing the future of rare disease. Through these real voices, Rare Rebels builds understanding, inspires action, and drives change.

 

The host Melody Joy Paine is a thought provoking and empathic interview. It is not surprising that she has won multiple awards for her storytelling and advocacy work. 

 

In this episode, a rare disease dad and advocate, Mark Dant, tells the story of his son, Ryan, being diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, and the scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis whose persistence changed their lives. 

 

In This Episode: 

 

• Mark Dant’s personal journey as a parent advocate after his son Ryan’s diagnosis with MPS I
• Being told “nothing can be done” and choosing to challenge that narrative
• Navigating rare disease advocacy before the internet, social media, or established drug development pathways
• Teaching himself medical and scientific concepts without formal training
• Early advocacy tactics: medical dictionaries, libraries, conferences, and cold outreach
• Building a nonprofit organization from the ground up to support research and families
• The fragmented healthcare and research system rare disease families faced in the 1990s
• The critical role of relationships in advancing rare disease research
• Mark’s partnership with physician-scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis and how trust fueled progress
• Bridging families, clinicians, and researchers to accelerate treatment development
• The path to developing the first treatment for MPS I
• How one family’s advocacy changed outcomes for future patients
• Parents as drivers of innovation in rare disease
• Persistence, collaboration, and problem-solving in the absence of clear systems
• Enduring lessons for today’s rare disease community and advocates

 

Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network:

Rare Rebels is the newest show on science podcast network Gene Pool Media. Thanks to everyone who has supported the network by following us @GenePoolMedia on social. Shoutout to all the podcasts in our network, you should check them via the links below!

• RealPharma
• Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD
• DNA Dialogues
• It Happened To Me
• All Access DNA
• #ThroughTheGenes
• Demystifying Genetics
• PhenoTips Speaker Series 
• Parálisis Cerebral Respuestas
• Humanism Today
• Gods and Genes

If you have a science podcast and are interested in joining the network, go to GenePoolMedia.com and click the “Apply” tab at the top right. Or just email us directly at [email protected]. We’d love to chat with you about the benefits of joining the network.

Here and there we have been sharing episodes from other podcasts in the Gene Pool Media network right here on DNA Today. 

Relevant Resources: 

Rare Rebels Website

Rare Rebels on Spotify

Rare Rebels on Apple Podcasts 

MedlinePlus’ Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler Syndrome) Page

Genetic Rare Disease Information Center: Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 Page

Gene Reviews’ Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Page

Dr. Emil Kakkis Developing Enzyme Replacement Therapy for MPS I

The Orphan Drug Act 1983 strongly influenced by The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD)

EveryLife Foundation For Rare Diseases

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#171 Farber Disease with Aceragen (also a lysosomal storage disorder) 

#292 TALEN® Gene Editing Technology with Cellectis (MPS type I Research)

#372 Fighting for Time: Hunter Syndrome (MPS Type II), Gene Therapy & Urgent Advocacy

#371 Growing Old Too Fast: A Mother’s Fight for Cockayne Syndrome Advocacy

#376 Why Females with Fabry Disease Aren’t “Just Carriers” (Also a lysosomal storage disorder) 

#378 Why This Week’s NIH Funding Vote Matters for Rare Disease Patients

Connect With Us:

Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 380 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 our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . 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 [email protected].