#50 Dr. Melina Fan about Addgene

Dr. Melina Fan joins me on the show to discuss plasmids. Dr. Fan is the Chief Scientific Officer and a co-founder of Addgene. Addgene is a nonprofit organization that operates a plasmid repository for the research community. Dr. Fan explains what plasmids are, highlights cool genes that are inserted into plasmids and how Addgene's plasmid repository works.

#44 CRISPR

CRISPR is a genetic editing technology that will change the future of genetics. In the past 3 years it has been used in labs throughout the world. It has the potential to fix point mutations and larger mutations in our genome. Diseases caused by point mutations include Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Tay-Sachs disease. More complex conditions such as cancer, HIV or autism could be cured if the RNA gene editing is developed further.

#43 Lynch Syndrome

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), more commonly known as Lynch syndrome, is an inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of many cancers, most notably colorectal cancer.

#42 Women In Bioscience: Let There Be No Limit

Jackson Laboratories held The Bioscience Career Forum II: Women in Biosciences. The Forum centered on recruiting and retaining women in the biosciences. Women leaders in the bioscience industry discussed what it takes to enter Connecticut's most rapidly developing sector. Topics included equalizing the the gender gap in the biosciences, vital skill acquisition and training, the importance of networking and finally, how to land job.

#41 Rare Disease Day 2016

February 29th is the rarest day of the year and that means it's Rare Disease Day! Throughout the world NORD (The National Organization of Rare Diseases) has hosted Rare Disease Day events. I attended the Connecticut Rare Disease Day at the State House in Hartford and interviewed a few of the presenters including Jackie and Eloise Stager, founders of JaxLegacy, John Hopper, the director of the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation and Maddie Shaw, leader of Maddie's Herd.

#40 UCONN-TIP (Technology Intern Program)

Dr. Caroline Dealy returns to the show to discuss the UCONN-TIP (Technology Intern Program). She is the founder and director of the program. UCONN-TIP pairs UConn students with university start-up companies for mentored research internships in business or STEM. She shares what kind of research experience can students anticipate and how it can help in your career.

#39 Sun Kissed & Kardashian's Genetic Testing

On a recent episode of the Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the family went through genetic testing, but what did the episode leave out or get wrong? I review the documentary Sun Kissed: One Gene Exposes a Nation's Dark Past, about a family who has children with an extremely rare genetic disorder, Xeroderma Pigmentosum.