Answers from the Lab

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by special guest Donald Thomas, M.D., a rheumatologist and lupus researcher. They discuss how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ suite of innovative lupus testing, offered in collaboration with Progentec Diagnostics, is enhancing the care and quality of life for patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Their discussion includes:

• Symptoms of lupus and characteristics of the complex disease process.
• The role of laboratory testing in diagnosing and managing long-term treatment for patients with lupus.
• Dr. Thomas’ clinical experience using the Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Flare Risk Index and Lupus Disease Activity Index for his patients, and how these tests have enhanced collaborative treatment planning.
• Why these novel tests are a major step forward in expanding diagnostic tools and improving care for patients living with SLE.

John Mills, Ph.D., and Divyanshu Dubey, M.B.B.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new test panel can distinguish among various potential causes of demyelinating neuropathies. Test results are important for managing these devastating autoimmune conditions.

Show notes

Speaker 3: (00:32)
 Would you provide a little background on yourself, Dr. Mills?

Speaker 3: (01:19)
 Dr. Dubey?

Speaker 3: (02:07)
 Can you give a brief overview of our demyelinating test and recommended use?

Speaker 3: (03:52)
 Can you discuss how this new test will assist in a patient's journey?

Speaker 3: (05:46)
 Can you tell us some of the unique features of this test?

Speaker 3: (08:09)
 Dr. Dubey, as a neurologist, how does this test set us apart in the market?

Speaker 3: (11:05)
 Could you summarize the benefits of having both a demyelinating panel and an axonal panel?

Speaker 3: (11:40)
 Why should a patient have an axonal or demyelinating test versus a sensory and motor test for peripheral neuropathy?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by special guests Bernard Rubin, D.O., MPH, chief medical officer of Progentec Diagnostics, and Melissa Munroe, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer and principal investigator of Progentec Diagnostics. They discuss Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ suite of innovative lupus testing, offered in collaboration with Progentec Diagnostics, for patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Their discussion includes:

• The Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Flare Risk Index that uses an algorithm to calculate a flare risk index, which assigns a score based on a patient's risk of a forthcoming lupus flare.
• The Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Disease Activity Index that characterizes a patient’s current disease activity into low, moderate, or active states.
• How these two tests were developed and for whom they are recommended.
• Why these tests are a significant development and how they enhance the quality of life for patients living with SLE.

Ann Moyer, M.D., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique genetic tests identify patients at high risk of severe reactions to fluoropyrimidines — a type of chemotherapy drug. Test results can guide clinical decision-making for safer cancer treatment.

Speaker 3: (00:32)
 Would you tell us a little bit about yourself and your history with this testing?

Speaker 3: (01:25)
 Would you tell us a little more about this assay?

Speaker 3: (04:57)
 Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? 

Speaker 3: (05:30)
 What alternative tests exist and how do they compare?

Speaker 3: (06:28)
 How are the results used in patient care?

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, to discuss the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s disease testing and treatment.

Their discussion includes:

• Why there is an increased focus on Alzheimer’s disease in the diagnostics industry.
• The development of groundbreaking blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers.
• The importance of accurate testing to avoid false positives.
• The role of laboratory scientists in guiding appropriate test usage.
• The promising new treatment options and the need for informed decision-making in a patient’s healthcare journey.

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 cover current trends, pain points, and opportunities for growth in the lab and diagnostics market.

Their discussion includes:

• Insights from Dr. Morice’s participation in an Advisory Board webinar about 2024 lab market trends.
• Why there is an increased demand for laboratory testing.
• The opportunities that come with digital pathology, at-home testing, and remote diagnostics.

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 upsurge of mpox cases, particularly in Africa, and why the World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Background information on the monkeypox virus, and the current outbreak situation.
• What is contributing to the rapid spread of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries.
• How the current mpox outbreak compares to the global outbreak in 2022, and lessons learned that could be applied today.
• Testing options for diagnosing mpox.
• What can be done to control the spread of mpox and prevent future outbreaks. 

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 what’s new and ongoing with pathogens and infections.

Their discussion includes:

• Summer cases of COVID-19.
• H5N1 (avian influenza) activity and testing options.
• Increasing dengue fever infections.
• Outbreaks of listeria and cyclospora.
• The importance of public-private partnerships in preventing disease outbreaks and increasing access to testing.

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., and Melissa Snyder, Ph.D., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique risankizumab panel measures levels of both that drug and its antibodies in patients' blood. The results can better guide the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Speaker 4: (00:32)
 Please give the audience a little information about yourself and your background.

Speaker 4: (02:12)
 Please give the audience a brief overview of this assay.

Speaker 4: (04:34)
 Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? 

Speaker 4: (05:50)
 What alternative testing options are available and how do these compare?

Speaker 4: (06:47)
 How are the results used in patient care?

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 insights from Dr. Morice’s recent travels abroad, including biomanufacturing, diagnostics, cybersecurity, and supply chain activities.

Their discussion includes:

• What’s happening in the global diagnostics industry and takeaways from visiting Saudi Arabia and Italy.
• Why countries are looking toward building their own biomanufacturing and diagnostic resources, and the impacts of a global supply chain.
• The evolution of digitalization and cybersecurity.