Empowered Patient Podcast

Robin Smith, CEO, Orig3n, a genomics company that is bringing personalized genetic analysis to consumers to inform about lifestyle choices and risks. With a broader mission to get a snapshot of humanity to support regenerative medicine efforts and find clues to rare diseases, they are collecting genetic material from cheek swabs and blood samples from a wide range of groups. My sample was collected at the recent Exponential Medicine conference and opened a door into a whole new kind of conversation about health and wellness.

@Orig3n_Inc

@ExponentialMed

#XMed

Orig3n.com

Arnon Zamir, Chief Change Maker, Tikkun Olam Makers talks about creating virtual and physical communities to address the neglected problems of the disabled. With a mission to use available technology and to openly share the results, volunteers come together with those with disabilities in Makeathons to come up with creative solutions. Arnon is most excited about 3-D printing which can empower people in remote places to replicate designs and add their own innovations.

#XMED

@ExponentialMed

TOMGlobal.org

Dexter Ang, CEO, Pison Technology, an MIT start-up is developing breakthrough technology using electromyography or EMG to detect nerve signals with sensors that allow command of compatible devices. Dexter began his quest to address the needs of ALS patients by placing sensors on their bodies that use wi-fi to control a computer, phone or wheelchair by having the patient think about the muscle movement. The possibilities for all humans are endless.

@pisontechnology

#XMED

@exponentialMed

Pison Technology

Nadeem Sarwar PhD, President, Eisai AiM Institute talks about the dramatic changes taking place in the development of targeted theraputics because of the introduction of human genomic data rather than just relying on animal testing, building more sophisticated drug discovery models, and how the timing of intervention is shifting to earlier in the disease cycle.

@EisaiUS

Eisai

Edwin Chau Senior Sales Manager Affymetrix eBioscience was exhibiting at the Festival of Genomics California and took the time to talk about their ground-breaking microarray solutions and other tools that are helping researchers increase their efficiency and get a better picture of disease.

@ebioscience

#FestivalofGenomics

ebioscience.affymetrix.com

David Winternheimer, PhD Business Development, DxTerity talks to me from the show floor of the recent Festival of Genomics California where he demonstrates how easy it is for patients to get a blood sample to participate in research initiatives that are using rich diagnostic data from their genomic testing to investigate a wide range of diseases.

#FestivalofGenomics

DxTerity.com

Ali Torkamani, PhD Director of Genome Informatics and Drug Discovery,The Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) and Assistant Professor of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute is the co-author of a study on the Wellderly--those over 80 who have never suffered any major disease. The focus on healthspan and not just lifespan is being enhanced by exploring genomic data of the Wellderly phenotype as well as lifestyle choices and environment.

@ScrippsSTSI

The Scripps Translational Science Institute

Dr. Ezra Cohen, Professor Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Medicine University of California San Diego and Associate Director for Translational Science at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center shines light on the newest innovations in immunotheraphy for treating cancer, using precise cellular therapies and check point inhibitors to reactivate the immune system to attack cancer cells, and the promise of being able to prevent cancer using personalized vaccines.

@UCSDHealth

UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

UC San Diego Health Services

Presentation on Immuotheraphy

Dr. Tom Cowan, holistic physician and founder of Dr. Cowan's Garden Powders talks about how vegetable powders were first seen as a gourmet seasoning and now are being used to provide more diversity and nutrition for a wide audience. He also talks about harvesting and dehydrating sea vegetables like nori to make them more accessible, and why calories don't matter.

@DrCowansGarden

Dr. Cowan's Garden Powders

Kevin Stewart, Managing Partner State and Local Government, GIS Inc. talks about technology that is in place in cities and states to track and control vector borne diseases like the Zika virus, how important citizen engagement is for reporting problems, and value of maps for raising awareness and educating populations at risk.

@GISIncorporated

@Esri_health

#ZikaVirus

GIS Inc.

Zika.gisinc.com

Esri