This week on The Genetics Podcast, Patrick is joined by Dr. Euan Ashley, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Stanford, founder of various biotech companies, and author of The Genome Odyssey: Medical Mysteries and the Incredible Quest to Solve Them. They discuss Euan’s groundbreaking work on ultra-rapid genome sequencing and how widespread sequencing, wearables, and AI could shape the future of preventive medicine and human performance.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Intro to The Genetics Podcast

01:00 Welcome to Euan

01:50 A pivotal case in Euan’s career involving diagnosing a newborn experiencing cardiac arrest

06:41 How Euan’s team worked towards a record of eight hours from clinical sample to diagnosis

10:05 Hurdles that need to be overcome before ultra-rapid sequencing workflows can be widely used in clinical settings

11:40 Considerations around widespread genetic screening in newborns

16:10 Weighing utility and uncertainty in genetic testing for disease

19:17 Steps to a future where widespread genetic testing is economically viable 

23:54 New frontiers of clinical genomics, including integration with electronic health records (EHRs) and wearables 

28:24 The physiology and genetics of athletic performance and the inspiration behind the ELITE study

33:54 Psychological drivers and effects of human performance

37:57 Euan’s interest in generative AI for developing novel therapies

41:32 Closing remarks 

Find out more

• The Ashley Lab (https://ashleylab.stanford.edu/)

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