Genetics

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD

Guest: Lee Philip Shulman, MD, FACOG, FACMG

Few would quibble with the notion that every patient, irrespective of age, needs genetic screening. When it comes to prenatal testing, early answers are ideal for expectant mothers and their families. Dr. Lee Shulman, professor and chair of reproductive genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, examines AFP-serum markers, triple and quad screens, and the increasing accuracy we’re now seeing among first trimester non-invasive testing.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Guest: Marla Mendelson, MD

Marfan Syndrome, an inherited connective tissue disorder, affects 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 individuals. Women with Marfan Syndrome have a wide range of abnormalities involving the lungs, skin, ocular, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Today we are joined by Dr. Marla A. Mendelson, an assistant professor of Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and director of the Women’s Cardiology program of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Memorial Hospital which has just opened a clinic devoted to the management of women with Marfan syndrome.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Guest: Brian Kaplan, MD

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders has traditionally involved testing of an established pregnancy by utilizing chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. In the event that an abnormality is detected, pregnancy termination is then offered as an option. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is an option that can be utilized during In Vitro Fertilization to avoid the transfer of abnormal embryos. PGD may have the additional value of improving pregnancy rates when undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Dr. Kaplan discusses thestate of the art of PGD including current and future applications.

Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Guest: Brian Kaplan, MD

While freezing embryos has long been an option, many single women who hope to have a future partner, are requesting oocyte preservation rather than utilizing donor sperm. Dr. Kaplan discusses new methods of cryopreservation , current clinical recommendations and outcomes.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Guest: John A. Kessler, MD

John A. Kessler MD, Davee Professor of Stem Cell Biology, Chairman, Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Medical School, is one of the world’s leaders in stem cell research to repair central and peripheral nerve damage. He joins us to talk about how growth factors promote neuronal and glial survival and phenotypic expression.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Guest: John A. Kessler, MD

John A. Kessler MD, Davee Professor of Stem Cell Biology, Chairman, Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. Dr. Kessler is one of the world’s leaders in stem cell research to repair central and peripheral nerve damage. He joins us to talk about the biology of embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells, including defining the mechanisms regulating neuronal and glial differentiation of stem cells.

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD

Guest: Hugh Rienhoff, MD

Dr. Michael Greenberg speaks with Dr. Hugh Rienhoff about www.mydaughtersdna.org, a website he created to help children with rare or difficult-to-diagnose genetic diseases find proper diagnoses and help.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Thomas Goetz, MA, MPH

One of the newest emerging healthcare ventures sells genome profiles. For $1000 and a saliva sample you can get a report describing your personal genome. In this segment host Larry Kaskel discusses with Thomas Goetz, deputy editor of Wired magazine, his recently published cover story on retail genomics.

Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Guest: Richard Moss, MD

Our guest Dr. Rick Moss discuses with host, Dr. Bill Rutenberg current modes of diagnosis, including the genetic basis of CF. This is followed by a discussion of current and future treatments for cystic fibrosis, including lung transplantation, stem cell and gene therapies.

Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Guest: Richard Moss, MD

No longer a disease of childhood, patients with cystic fibrosis are now living well into adult life. Dr. Moss discusses with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg about the current state of the art of treatment that has made long-term survival possible, new morbidities resulting from increased survival to financing health care for adults with cystic fibrosis and transitioning from pediatric to adult care.