Mendelspod Podcast
Science & Ideas
About
Offering a front row seat to the Century of Biology, veteran podcast host Theral Timpson interviews the who's who in genomics and genomic medicine. www.mendelspod.com
Episodes
- Solexa Co-Inventor Shankar Balasubramanian on Six-Base Sequencing and What's Next in Genomics
Shankar Balasubramanian, co-inventor of Solexa sequencing, discusses the accidental origins of Solexa sequencing and its impact on modern biology. He also talks about his new venture, Biomodal, and the emerging field of six-base sequencing…
- The Next Frontier in Biology: Physics? Erdinc Sezgin of the Karolinska Institute
Erdinc Sezgin of the Karolinska Institute explores the increasing role of physics in modern biology. His lab investigates cell membrane properties and utilizes techniques like Molecular Pixelation to understand cellular functions, potentia…
- The Case for a 6-Base Genome with Peter Fromen, CEO of Biomodal
Peter Fromen, CEO of Biomodal, explains the significance of 6-base genomics and distinguishing between mC and hmC for biological insights. He highlights Biomodal's colorectal cancer study, achieving 95% AUC for early detection, and frames…
- The Eligible But Under-Tested: Genomic Medicine in 2026 with Damon Hostin, Illumina
Damon Hostin of Illumina discusses the current adoption of genomic testing, noting it has entered the standard of care in some areas but remains incomplete, with many eligible patients still under-tested. The value of a genome compounds ov…
- Spatial Transcriptomics Is Changing How We Do Biology: Fei Chen, The Broad Institute
Fei Chen discusses spatial transcriptomics, a technology that combines gene expression data with cellular location. This approach, exemplified by Slide-tags (now Trekker), allows researchers to understand biological systems in greater deta…
- Beyond GLP-1: Why Peptides Are Back at the Center of Drug Discovery with Charlie Johannes and Tomi Sawyer
Charlie Johannes and Tomi Sawyer join Mendelspod to discuss the current state and future of peptide drug discovery. They explore how advances in chemistry, screening, and delivery are reshaping the field, while also acknowledging the remai…
- From the Archives: Inventor Mark Kokoris Debuts Roche’s New SBX Sequencer
Mark Kokoris, inventor of Roche’s Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology, explains how the method works by expanding DNA molecules to enable faster and more accurate sequencing. He discusses the technology's journey, its duplex mode achi…
- Why Do Some Animals Live Ten Times Longer? Pursuing the Science of Aging with Steve Austad
Steve Austad, an expert on aging, explains the evolutionary reasons behind animal lifespan differences, detailing how environmental stability influences aging. He discusses current research advancements and dismisses the idea of immortalit…
- MRD Testing: From Residual Disease to Real Decisions with Chris Hourigan and Gary Pestano
Chris Hourigan and Gary Pestano explore the evolution of Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) testing in oncology, highlighting its progression from basic detection to a quantitative, actionable tool for clinical decisions. They discuss the ch…
- Early vs Late Recurrence: How Multimodal AI Is Changing Breast Cancer Prognosis with George Sledge, Caris Life Sciences
George Sledge explains how multimodal AI is changing breast cancer prognosis by improving long-term recurrence prediction. Findings from the TAILORx trial show that combining molecular sequencing, digital pathology, and clinical data offer…
- The Dark Genome with Author Sudhakaran Prabakaran
Mendelspod features Sudhakaran Prabakaran discussing his book "Eclipsed Horizons: Unveiling the Dark Genome." The conversation delves into the non-coding genome, arguing that its regions generate novel proteins that may drive adaptation, s…
- Illumina's New Mapped Read Technology Provides Insights into Rare Disease: Stephen Kingsmore, Olivia Kim-McManus and Ali Crawford
Stephen Kingsmore, Olivia Kim-McManus, and Ali Crawford discuss Illumina
- CareDx’s Second Act with CEO John Hanna
CareDx, under CEO John Hanna, is evolving into a clinical ecosystem for transplantation, integrating molecular diagnostics like AlloSure with software and services. Hanna emphasizes a "solution selling" approach to replace invasive biopsie…
- Inside GP2: Building a Global Genetic Map of Parkinson’s with Andrew Singleton and Ignacio Mata
Andrew Singleton and Ignacio Mata of the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2) discuss the initiative's success in genotyping over 100,000 participants worldwide, with a focus on underrepresented populations. They explain how globally…
- A Simple Sponge, a Big Shift in Cell Therapy with Yev Brudno, UNC
Yev Brudno explains how a simple biomaterial sponge technology can dramatically increase the efficiency and scalability of cell therapy manufacturing, addressing key cost and production barriers. This innovation reframes genetic modificati…
- How Cellanome Is Changing the Way We Study Cell Function with Matthew Spitzer and Pier Federico Gherardini
The Mendelspod Podcast features Matthew Spitzer and Pier Federico Gherardini discussing Cellanome's platform. This technology allows for the real-time observation of cell function, division, and interaction over time, which can then be pai…
- From Hereditary Risk to Residual Disease: Natera’s Integrated Vision for Precision Oncology with Adam ElNaggar, MD
Adam ElNaggar, MD of Natera, discusses the rise of MRD testing and ctDNA monitoring in oncology, highlighting Natera's Signatera and Latitude tests. The conversation covers hereditary cancer testing and the future of personalized medicine…
- The Rise of Geroscience with Alan Landay and Tom Blackwell, UTMB
Alan Landay and Tom Blackwell explore aging as a target for medicine. Landay, drawing from HIV research, highlights persistent inflammation as a driver of aging, while Blackwell, a geriatrician, investigates slowing aging to prevent age-re…
- Unlocking the RNA Revolution: How Self-Replicating RNA Could Transform Vaccines and Therapeutics with Andrew Geall, Replicate Bioscience
Andrew Geall of Replicate Bioscience joins Mendelspod to discuss self-replicating RNA, arguing it may be the next major advancement in vaccines and therapeutics, building upon the foundation of first-generation mRNA technology.
- From Targets to Hits: The Emerging AI Ecosystem in Drug Discovery with Aqib Hasnain, Mithrl and Cheng Hu, Technetium Therapeutics
Mendelspod features Aqib Hasnain of Mithrl and Cheng Hu of Technetium discussing how AI is revolutionizing drug discovery. They explore AI's role in target identification and generating novel compounds, aiming to accelerate the process fro…
- Most Popular Show of 2025: How Certis Is Rewriting Cancer Models with CEO Peter Ellman
In a popular 2025 episode, Certis Oncology CEO Peter Ellman explained how the company creates more accurate cancer models by placing patient tumors in mice in their original locations. He also discussed their patented AI platform designed…
- Building the Front-End for Every Sequencer with Volta Labs CEO Udayan Umapathi
Volta Labs CEO Udayan Umapathi discusses the successful first commercial year of their Callisto platform, a sequencer-agnostic digital-fluidics system for sample preparation. The platform has seen rapid adoption globally, praised by custom…
- A New Foundational Platform for Biology: Cellanome’s Debut with CEO Omead Ostadan
Omead Ostadan, CEO of Cellanome, introduces the company's R3200 system featuring CellCage technology. This platform allows for real-time observation of living cells, combining imaging, molecular analysis, and computation to study cell inte…
- The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Former NHGRI Director Eric Green on a Shaken NIH and Surging Genomic Science
Eric Green reflects on a turbulent year at NIH, including his non-renewal as NHGRI Director and institutional changes. He also highlights rapid advancements in genomic science, such as gene editing and sequencing, and believes widespread n…
- From the Archives: Next-Gen MRD Testing: Foresight’s Leap in Sensitivity with Jake Chabon and Dave Kurtz
Jake Chabon and David Kurtz, co-founders of Foresight Diagnostics, explain their advanced MRD testing technology, PhasED-Seq, which achieves high sensitivity by tracking phased variants. They discuss its impact on NCCN guidelines and its f…
- Petter Brodin of Karolinska: How Spatial Interactomics Could Transform Autoimmune Therapy
Petter Brodin of Karolinska and Imperial College discusses his research on childhood immune development and spatial interactomics. His work suggests that understanding protein distribution and interactions within cells, not just individual…
- From GWAS to EWAS: Chirag Patel and and Gary Miller on the Rise of Exposomics
Chirag Patel and Gary Miller introduce exposomics, the study of environmental exposures throughout a lifetime, and its growing importance in understanding human health. They explain that while genomics accounts for 20% of disease risk, exp…
- Agilent Partners with PacBio to Speed Adoption of Long Reads into Diagnostic Testing
Agilent and PacBio are collaborating to speed the adoption of long-read sequencing into clinical diagnostics. Rita Shaknovich of Agilent and Sarah Kingan of PacBio explain how their partnership leverages Agilent's lab infrastructure and Pa…
- How AI Is Doing Science with Vivek Adarsh, CEO of Mithrl
Vivek Adarsh, CEO of Mithrl, explains how their AI platform transforms raw data into biological insights in minutes, significantly speeding up scientific research. He highlights examples of rapid biomarker identification and error preventi…
- Inventor Mark Kokoris on Roche’s New Sequencing by Expansion
Mark Kokoris, inventor of Roche's Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology, explains how it works, achieving whole-genome results in under four hours with high accuracy. He envisions SBX becoming the new standard in sequencing.
- From Brewing Sake to Brewing Science: Takara Bio’s Bold New Chapter with CSO Andrew Farmer
Takara Bio
- How Pathologists Can Lead in Precision Medicine with David Braxton
Dr. David Braxton explains Hoag Memorial Hospital's pathologist-initiated reflex testing system, which automatically triggers genomic tests for certain cancers, embedding precision medicine into the biopsy workflow. He also discusses barri…
- From DNA to Proteins: Illumina Makes Its Proteomics Play - with Krishna Morampudi
Illumina is entering the proteomics field with the acquisition of SomaLogic and the launch of Illumina Protein Prep. This new solution utilizes SomaLogic’s technology to screen 9,500 proteins, integrating with Illumina’s sequencing and dat…
- Theranos Had the Vision. Truvian Has the Execution. Our Chat with CEO Jay Srinivasan
Jay Srinivasan, CEO of Truvian Health, explains the company's goal to decentralize blood testing. Truvian aims to perform 34 lab-quality tests using only eight drops of blood, with results in under 30 minutes, and has an instrument under F…
- Physicians Don't Want a Laundry List of Genes says Premal Shah, CEO of Myome
Premal Shah, CEO of Myome, argues that the personal genomics industry has prioritized quantity over quality. He explains that Myome offers whole-genome interpretation designed for clinical use, believing that more data is not necessarily b…
- The Customer Case for iconPCR with Stefan Green and Yann Jouvenot
Dr. Stefan Green and Yann Jouvenot discuss iconPCR, a new PCR technology. They highlight its adaptive cycling and AutoNorm features, which aim to reduce PCR artifacts and improve genomic data accuracy for researchers.
- Alex Dickinson on Long Read Sequencing, Multi Omics, and the Next Frontier in Genomics
Alex Dickinson joins Mendelspod to discuss the future of genomics, focusing on long-read sequencing, multi-omics, and the economics of diagnostics. He explains how long reads aid in detecting structural changes in cancer and highlights the…
- Rapid Answers for Rare Disease: Katherine Stueland on GeneDx’s Mission
GeneDx CEO Katherine Stueland explains the company's success in rare disease diagnostics, their commitment to whole exome/genome testing for children, and how acquiring Fabric Genomics enhances their AI-powered interpretation services. Stu…
- Moran Snir's Vision for Making Genomic Care Routine across the U.S.
Moran Snir, founder of four genomic medical companies, discusses her new venture, Nest Genomics. The software platform aims to make genomic care routine across U.S. health systems.
- How Certis Is Rewriting Cancer Models with CEO Peter Ellman
Certis Oncology, co-founded by Peter Ellman, is developing patient-specific tumor models ("avatars") to improve cancer treatment. Their work, originating from a patient's experience, aims to move beyond trial-and-error by creating more acc…
- Myriad’s Next Chapter: New CEO Sam Raha on Growth, AI, and MRD Testing
In his first interview as CEO, Sam Raha discusses Myriad Genetics' pivot to clinical genomics, focusing on oncology, prenatal, and mental health. He highlights plans for AI-powered and MRD tests, aiming for profitable growth while emphasiz…
- Next-Gen MRD Testing: Foresight’s Leap in Sensitivity with Jake Chabon and Dave Kurtz
Jake Chabon and Dave Kurtz of Foresight Diagnostics explain their novel PhasED-Seq MRD testing technology, which offers high sensitivity for detecting cancer relapse early, potentially reshaping cancer care standards and influencing NCCN g…
- Bodour Salhia and Danielle Goldberg: Rethinking Cancer Research with Illumina's 5-Base Solution
This episode of Mendelspod features Dr. Bodour Salhia and Danielle Goldberg discussing Illumina's 5-base solution, a new technology for cancer research that analyzes both genetic variants and DNA methylation. They explain how this approach…
- Reinventing PCR: Pranav Patel, N6 Tec
Pranav Patel, CEO of N6 Tec, introduces the IconPCR platform, a new approach to PCR technology. Unlike traditional PCR machines, IconPCR offers independently controlled wells, enabling real-time amplification, quantification, and normaliza…
- Making Whole Genome Sequencing the Universal Genetic Test - with David Ledbetter, Pediatric Rare Disease Institute, FSU
Geneticist David Ledbetter shares insights on rare disease diagnosis, his work at Geisinger's MyCode Initiative, and the new Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU. He advocates for whole genome sequencing as a universal genetic test…
- Remembering Atul Butte with Marina Sirota, Chirag Patel and Mike Snyder
This Mendelspod episode pays tribute to Dr. Atul Butte, a pioneer in big data and precision medicine. Colleagues Marina Sirota, Chirag Patel, and Mike Snyder discuss his influence on bioinformatics, his mentorship, and his vision for integ…
- The Age of Digital Pathology with Andy Beck, PathAI
This episode previews a discussion with Dr. Andy Beck of PathAI about the digital transformation in pathology, where AI is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics and drug development by analyzing microscope slides.
- What’s New for Regulatory Informatics in the Age of AI? Not Much—And That’s the Point with Raju Rayavarapu of DNAnexus
Raju Rayavarapu of DNAnexus joins Mendelspod to discuss regulatory informatics in the age of AI. He argues that while scale and complexity have increased, the fundamental principles of data analysis for safety and efficacy decisions remain…
- From Illumina to Advocacy: Mike Kreitzinger on the Future of Clinical Genomics
Mike Kreitzinger, a leader in genomics and advocate for its use, shares insights from his work with the Institute for Pediatric Rare Disease at Florida State University and discusses the Sunshine Genetics Act.
- Amplifying the Expert: Jing Gao on Illumina's Connected Insights
Jing Gao, VP of Software Engineering at Illumina, explains how the new software Illumina Connected Insights transforms oncology genomics by providing end-to-end clinical utility. The software integrates various databases and AI tools to de…