Genomics Now

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 episode, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie welcomes back Dharmisha Chauhan, the Lead Pharmacist in the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. Dharmisha provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the basic pharmacogenetic principles that clinicians should know. 

They discuss the importance of understanding genomic terminology, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and how genetic variations influence individual responses to medications. Dharmisha also explains key genomic terms such as genes, alleles, genotypes, phenotypes, haplotypes, and diplotypes. 

The episode features a practical case study involving a stroke patient, to illustrate the clinical impact of pharmacogenetics and how it can guide medication adjustments to improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, the discussion highlights the significance of designing pharmacogenetic tests with population diversity in mind to ensure personalised medicine is effective across different ethnic backgrounds.

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 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.

This episode kicks off a five-part series on pharmacogenetics.

In this episode, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie is joined by Dharmisha Chauhan, the Lead Pharmacist at North Thames Genetic Medicines Service Alliance. Together, they explore the fundamental concepts of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics, discussing their differences and current applications within the NHS. Learn how this innovative field is beginning to shape personalised treatment strategies, and how NHS England's new Pharmacy Genomics Workforce Education and Training Strategic Framework, is aiming to integrate genomic medicine into pharmacy education and practice over the next three years.

The discussion also touches on the evolving role of pharmacists and other prescribers in utilising pharmacogenetic testing to optimise patient care. 

Stay tuned as we venture into the future possibilities of pharmacogenetics, anticipating broader applications and more comprehensive testing in primary care settings. Join us for insightful conversations and practical knowledge on how genomics is transforming healthcare.

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.

Learn more:

Click here for - Pharmacy genomics workforce, education and training strategic framework 

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Helen Grote

This episode addresses the various implications that genomic test results may have for a patient, as well as their family members. It focuses on the challenges that may arise with regards to sharing of information, and the ways in which families can be supported throughout this process.

Recorded in June 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Rhiannon Melis

This episode explores the various ways in which fetal DNA can be examined, including fetal exome sequencing. The clinical utility and how this fits into NHS testing pathways is also discussed.

Recorded in June 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dagmar Tapon

This episode explains the concept of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and the roll-out of this technique as an additional testing option in the NHS.

Recorded in June 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Angela Brady

In this episode the role of genomics in rare disease is discussed, and explanations of genomic variants and how they are identified and interpreted are given.

Recorded in June 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Angela Brady

This episode gives a brief overview of the role of genomics in cancer and explains key concepts including familial cancer syndromes and diagnostic versus predictive gene testing.

Recorded in June 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Anwar Khan

In this episode the concept of pharmacogenomics is explained along with examples of pharmacogenomics already in use by the NHS. The role of pharmacogenomics in general practice and predictions for the future are also discussed.

Recorded in May 2021

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Anwar Khan

This episode focuses on simple explanations on genomics for patients to enable primary care practitioners to discuss genomics in their daily practice.

Recorded in May 2021.

Speakers: Dr. Dahlia Hopmeier and Dr. Anwar Khan

This episode explains the variability of direct-to-consumer tests and the potential limitations and risks. The role of the GP in interpreting results from these tests is explored, with reference to the Royal College of General Practitioner’s position statement.

Recorded in May 2021