DNA Today is a multi-award winning podcast and radio show exploring how genetics impacts our health.

Host/Producer Kira Dineen interviews leaders in genetics including genetic counselors, researchers, physicians and patient advocates.

New episodes every Friday.

DNA Today is broadcast Fridays at 10:30am EST on WHUS 91.7 FM in Connecticut.

#115 Dr. Daria Julkowska on The European Joint Program on Rare Diseases

#115 Dr. Daria Julkowska on The European Joint Program on Rare Diseases

Dr. Daria Julkowska joins the show for Rare Disease Month as the Coordinator of the European Joint Program on Rare Diseases. This organization was newly established in January 2019. Daria is of Polish origin but she has lived and worked in France for the last 18 years. She has a PhD in molecular biology and is involved in rare diseases research and management for the last ten years. 

The European Joint Program on Rare Diseases represents 89 partners across the EU and beyond. Internally, the partners include research funders, research institutions and infrastructures, hospitals and of course patient organizations. The program is financed by the EU and the states participating in the project. 

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On This Episode We Discuss:

  • Motivation to Start the Organization 

  • Goals for the Rare Disease Community 

  • Countries Represented 

  • Rare Disease Visual Platform

  • Advancing Rare Disease Research 

  • Ongoing Research Projects

  • Funding for Research 

  • Combating Exorbitant Costs of Treatments (Ex: Spinraza)  

  • Rare Disease Day/Month Involvement 

Happy Rare Disease Month! If you are in the US you can get involved by going to the National Organization for Rare Disorders’ website, rarediseases.org. You can find ways to get active on social media and in person events. Learn more about The European Joint Program on Rare Diseases by visiting their website

Want to hear more from the rare disease community? Check out all the 20 rare disease episodes of DNA Today here! Recent episodes include #102 Seth Rotberg on Huntington Disease, #98 Lydia Seiders on Aplastic Anemia, and #95 Kieger Family on Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today. New episodes are released on the first Friday of the month with some bonus episode thrown in there. See what else I am up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and iTunes. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNApodcast.com.

#116 DNA Ally on Direct To Consumer Genetic Testing

#116 DNA Ally on Direct To Consumer Genetic Testing

#114 Matt Burgess on Australasia Genetic Counseling

#114 Matt Burgess on Australasia Genetic Counseling