Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast that highlights how genomics is changing healthcare. This podcast series is recorded in 2025 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's (NT GMS) educational toolkit. 

This is the second episode of our series - A Genomics Conversation With. This series will focus on the power that open conversations hold in genomic medicine - whether that be in communities, between healthcare professionals or with families. Throughout the series we will feature conversations between members of our North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Team and people whose lives have been impacted by genomics.   

This episode, hosted by Dr Fiona Calvert, is taken from a session at our North Thames Genomics Showcase 2025. The session was titled “What I want my healthcare professionals to know about genomics” and today’s podcast is a short snippet of the early part of that session. 

In the episode, you will hear a conversation between Dr Fiona Calvert, our Genetic Counselling Lead, Pooja Dasani, and two amazing parents – Amber and Harri. 

You can watch the full session on the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service YouTube channel. 

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the NHS North Thames Genomic Medicine Service. 

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast that highlights how genomics is changing healthcare. This podcast series is recorded in 2025 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's (NT GMS) educational toolkit.

This is the first episode of our new series - A Genomics Conversation With. This series will focus on the power that open conversations hold in genomic medicine - whether that be in communities, between healthcare professionals or with families. Throughout the series we will feature conversations between members of our North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Team and people whose lives have been impacted by genomics.  

In this episode, hosted by Dr Fiona Calvert, retired professional footballer Les Ferdinand talks about the importance of family history conversations in the Black Community around prostate cancer. He is in conversation with Liz Bancroft, NT GMS Lead Nurse, and Paul Ryves, NT GMSA Programme Director.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the NHS North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's (NTGMS) educational toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss the ways genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and how genomics can be used to improve patient care successfully.

In this final episode of the NTGMS liquid biopsy podcast series, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie welcomes Gini as her co-host, a Trustee for EGFR Positive UK. Today, they are joined by Mark and Janet who have lived-experience of biopsy testing for lung cancer.

Mark was diagnosed 12 years ago with stage two lung cancer, today he shares his journey from initial symptoms to the groundbreaking liquid biopsy that revealed a genetic change leading to successful targeted treatment.

Janet recounts her recent diagnosis and the symptoms that led her to participate in the NHS's lung cancer pilot for liquid biopsy testing, and that led to her swift treatment turnaround.

Join us as we explore the critical role of liquid biopsies in lung cancer treatment and the profound impact this test the NHS is piloting can have on patients' lives.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Services Educational Toolkit. In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss how genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and examine how genomics can be used to successfully improve patient care.

In today’s episode, we delve into the clinician's perspective on NHS England's liquid biopsy circulating tumour DNA pilot. Hosted by Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie, this episode features Dr. Alistair Greystoke, a Professor of Oncology, and Dr. William Ricketts, a Consultant chest physician. They discuss the integration and impact of liquid biopsy testing on lung cancer diagnosis and patient care.

Join us and learn about the practical tips, patient benefits, and logistical challenges encountered during the pilot, as well as the promising future applications of liquid biopsy testing in diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion that highlights the potential of genomics to change how we deliver healthcare.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's educational toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss the ways genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and how genomics can be used to improve patient care successfully.

In this episode, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie is joined by Stephen Kelly, UK Medical Director at Guardant Health, and Dr. Sophie Scott, UK General Manager at Guardant Health. Together, they discuss the role of liquid biopsy technology - a revolutionary blood test used to detect circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in cancer patients - and explore its potential in transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially for lung cancer.

This episode covers the evolving partnership between Guardant Health and The Royal Marsden Hospital London, which is at the forefront of piloting liquid biopsy testing in NHS patient pathways. Stephen and Sophie share insights on how this partnership has helped to drive clinical research and improved patient care, speeding up diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Join us for an insightful conversation on the future of liquid biopsy testing, its current applications, and the exciting possibilities for further advancements in genomics.

Visit our website for more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research. If you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share your thoughts and spread the word by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service on social media

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Services Educational Toolkit. In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss how genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and examine how genomics can be used to successfully improve patient care.

In this episode, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie chats with Professor Mike Hubank, Scientific Director of Clinical Genomics at the Royal Marsden NHS Trust and Scientific Director of the North Thames Genomics Laboratory Hub. They explore the process of transferring technology into NHS laboratories, focusing on the pilot of liquid biopsy circulating tumour DNA testing.

Learn how this cutting-edge technology is revolutionising lung cancer diagnostics, the benefits of the collaboration with Guardant Health, and the potential for expanding liquid biopsy testing across various cancer types. Discover the future implications and the significant impact on patient care.

Tune in for an enlightening discussion on the integration of advanced genomics in healthcare and its promising future.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Services Educational Toolkit. In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss how genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and examine how genomics can be used to successfully improve patient care.

In this first episode of our five-part series on liquid biopsies, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie is joined by Paul Ryves, Programme Director for the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. They discuss how the NHS in England is leading the way in adopting cutting-edge genomic technologies, specifically focusing on a new blood test that can guide lung cancer treatments.

Learn about the NHS Genomic Networks of Excellence, the phases of the lung cancer pilot, and how this innovative liquid biopsy test could become a standard of care. 

Don't miss out on this exciting conversation about the future of genomics in healthcare.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's educational toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss the ways genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and how genomics can be used to improve patient care successfully.

In today's final episode of the pharmacogenetics series, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie is joined by Dharmisha Chauhan, the Lead Pharmacist at the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. They delve into the importance of pre- and post- pharmacogenetic counselling and its role in shared decision-making for personalised treatment plans.

Dharmisha explains how pharmacogenetics can prevent severe adverse drug reactions and improve treatment efficacy. She highlights the critical points pharmacists and prescribers should cover during counselling sessions, and the potential future benefits of point-of-care testing and wider pharmacogenetic panel testing on the NHS.

The episode also discusses the challenges of communicating complex genomic information to patients, especially those with different language backgrounds, and gives tips on clear communication and how to empower patients for joint decision-making. 

Join us as we wrap up this insightful series on pharmacogenetics and look forward to the advancements in personalised medicine and their impact on clinical roles and patient care.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Services Educational Toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss how genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and examine how genomics can be used to successfully improve patient care.

In this episode, hosted by Darmisha Chauhan, focusing on the implementation of pharmacogenetic testing into mental health services. Darmisha is joined by Dr Nick Bass, an academic Psychiatrist based in the Molecular Psychiatry Lab at University College London. Nick shares insights from his research on genetic effects in mental illnesses and discusses the challenges and potential benefits of introducing pharmacogenetic testing in mental health care.

The episode uses CYP2C19 testing as an example, how this genetic test could be integrated into clinical pathways. Nick explains how pharmacogenetics could guide the choice of medications, potentially reducing trial-and-error prescribing, minimising side effects, and improving patient outcomes. The discussion also covers the importance of education and training for healthcare professionals, consent processes, and patient engagement strategies.

Join us as we explore the exciting possibilities of pharmacogenetics in enhancing mental health services and improving patient care.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's educational toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss the ways genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and how genomics can be used to improve patient care successfully.

In this episode, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie sits down again with Dharmisha Chauhan, the Lead Pharmacist at the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. Together, they dive into the critical role of research and clinical trials in advancing pharmacogenetic testing. Dharmisha explains how different types of studies, such as randomised controlled trials and cohort studies, provide essential evidence for implementing pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice.

This episode provides a fascinating look at the research that is shaping pharmacogenetics, underscoring the importance of generating diverse data representative of different populations. You'll hear about landmark research on Clopidogrel's impact on stroke patients, including key UK-based studies and the role of gene panels in broader pharmacogenetic testing.

Visit our website for more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research. If you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share your thoughts and spread the word by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service on social media.

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Studies referenced in this episode:

• Jia, D. M. et al.  (2013). CYP2C19 polymorphisms and antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel in acute ischemic stroke in China. Stroke, 44(6), 1717–1719. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.000823