In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Erin Graf, Ph.D., co-director of Microbiology in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, to discuss benefits of automation in the laboratory.

Topics of discussion include:

• Specific examples of how they are using automation in the laboratory.
• Strategies for ensuring a smooth implementation and a positive experience for staff.
• The potential of automation to support staff and continued patient care excellence amid projected labor shortages in the future.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss emerging concerns about H5N1 avian influenza.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Patterns of transmission and what they indicate about the potential of person-to-person transmission.
• Tools, tests, and processes that emerged in recent years that are making it easier to understand and track this virus.
• Remaining unknowns about the virus and how it could evolve.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss the progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and what’s next in this space.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• What’s driving the rapid acceleration of AI advancements.
• Ethical concerns and opportunities.
• How expenses, payment models, and culture influence AI advancements.
• The need to rethink training and education amid the rise of AI solutions.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss the latest in infectious disease outbreaks.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Recent trends in the spread of H5 bird flu and dengue fever.
• Why it’s important to think globally when monitoring infectious diseases.
• Extra precautions to take during the holiday travel season to keep you and those around you healthy.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss how labs can enhance patient access to improve health equity.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Innovations creating new possibilities, such as mobile clinics, at-home tests, and artificial intelligence.
• The responsibility of laboratory professionals to help guide the use of these new tools and the importance of collaboration between health systems.
• What’s needed to make solutions scalable and sustainable.

Learn more in Dr. Morice’s “Lab Manager” article.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by genetic counselors Carrie Lahner, M.S., CGC, and April Studinski Jones, M.S., CGC, to discuss how family medical history can inform genetic testing strategies.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• The seven main types of genetic testing, and how clinicians know when and what genetic testing to order.
• Key family history details to collect to inform decisions about genetic testing.
• How genetic counselors collaborate with physicians and laboratorians to make testing decisions.
• Recent genetic testing advancements that are improving diagnostics.

John Logan Black, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' UGT1A1 tests (Mayo IDs: U1A1Q and UGTFZ) identify genetic variants that increase the risk of potentially life-threatening reactions to irinotecan, a chemotherapy agent.

Speaker 3: (00:32)
Could you give us a brief overview about your background and yourself?

Speaker 3: (02:16)
Could you explain the role of the UGT1A1 gene and its significance in the pharmacogenomics of irinotecan?

Speaker 3: (05:34)
What specific tests do we offer for UGT1A1 at Mayo Clinic Laboratories?

Speaker 3: (08:01)
Can you clarify the difference between targeted genotyping and full gene sequencing, and when each method is most appropriate?

Speaker 3: (10:36)

Could you elaborate on the specific clinical indications for testing in relation to irinotecan?

Speaker 3: (13:27)
How do UGT1A1 test results impact the dosing of irinotecan? What should clinicians consider when using those results?

Speaker 3: (14:02)
Are there any other factors or related genes that should be considered alongside UGT1A1, particularly for cancer therapy?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent outbreaks in vaccine-preventable diseases.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Recent increases in outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as pertussis, measles, and polio.
• The serious side effects of the diseases.
• What’s fueling the resurgence of these diseases.
• Testing options for infectious diseases and resources for physicians.