Answers from the Lab

In this special 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. They discuss the final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 29, 2024, to make explicit its plan to regulate laboratory-developed tests (LDT) as medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Their discussion includes:

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 Robin Patel, M.D.,director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory and co-director of the Bacteriology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. They discuss antimicrobial resistance and why it’s a major global health concern. Specific topics of discussion include:

David S. Viswanatha, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides rapid, definitive diagnosis of VEXAS, a recently identified syndrome affecting older men. Early diagnosis is key to managing the condition, which severely impacts multiple organs and blood. (00:31) Could you please provide a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:30) Would you please share a brief overview of the UBA1Q assay? (02:13) Would you provide an overview of VEXAS syndrome? (05:30) When is this testing recommended during care for patients who have a suspected inflammatory condition or VEXAS syndrome? (06:38) What advantage does this assay provide over other methodologies? (10:13) Could you share further why diagnosis is so important for these patients? (12:40) Is there anything else you'd like to comment about the assay?

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. They discuss testing innovations for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments, and how laboratorians can responsibly help shape the future of healthcare. Their discussion includes: Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ plasma biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease.

Maryam Shahi, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique biomarker test (TEST ID: AFOLR) determines which patients would likely benefit from a new treatment for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Disease recurrence is common, and about one-third of patients respond to the new medication. (00:32) Could you provide us with a little bit of information about yourself and your background? (01:18) Can you start with a brief overview of the assay? (02:13) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (03:21) Are there alternative test options available and how do those compare with the folate receptor alpha assay? (03:57) How are the results used in patient care?

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. They discuss current events including Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, recent healthcare conferences, advocacy efforts, measles, and bird flu. Their discussion includes:

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides therapeutic drug monitoring of risankizumab, or RISA. Test results help guide care for patients with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease. (00:32) Do you mind giving the audience more information about yourself and your background? (01:53) Could you please give a brief overview of this assay? (03:35) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (04:57) How are the results used in patient care? (06:59) Other monoclonal antibody therapies are usually monitored by a combination of drug quantification and analysis of antidrug antibodies. How is this test being offered?

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 Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, to discuss tick-borne diseases and the latest testing options. Specific topics of discussion include: testing methodsAcute Tickborne Disease Testing AlgorithmLyme Neuroborreliosis Diagnostic AlgorithmBRBSTHRTVCHRTVS

Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich, Ph.D., discusses how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new noninvasive blood test for Alzheimer’s disease identifies the p-tau217 biomarker, which is associated with the accumulation of amyloid beta in the brain. Positive test results can facilitate access to disease-modifying therapies. (00:32): Dr. Algeciras, could you just provide a little bit of background on your role at Mayo Clinic? (01:45): So before we get into the test itself, can you just explain a little bit about the disease state and especially some of the recent changes? (07:39) So can you explain a little bit more about what the results that our clients will receive look like? (10:30) Can you just give a quick overview of how our test is unique compared to those on the market? (12:24) What patients should have this testing performed, Dr. Algeciras and if you have any tips on which patients should not, please include that as well? (14:42) Let's talk now about how those results are used in patient care. (16:31) One more question, just summarize for our listeners what you're most excited about with this new test.

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. They discuss current events including dengue outbreaks, new colon cancer screening technology, and insurance coverage of innovative lab tests. Their discussion includes:

Bobbi Pritt, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay identifies less-common tick-borne bacteria in whole blood. The assay is recommended when tick-borne bacterial infection is suspected but standard testing is unrevealing. (00:33) Do you mind giving us a brief introduction of yourself and what you do at Mayo? (01:45) Can you tell us a little about the test and how it came to be? (03:00) Could you explain the types of patients this test would be best suited for and how a provider might determine if their patient would benefit from this? (03:32) Would you please explain why the algorithm is recommended and where in the algorithm this test fits? (04:36) What makes this test different from what's currently available to providers? (05:38) How can the information be used in patient care? And can you talk a little bit about how the diagnosis can be clarified by using this assay, why it's important, and how the results would impact a patient's care and treatment plan?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recent health advisory in response to the increasing number of measles outbreaks in the United States. 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 Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and clinical virologist at Mayo Clinic, to discuss why measles is in the news again and how we can prevent measles outbreaks. Specific topics of discussion include: testing options

Linda Hasadsri, M.D., Ph.D., and Huong T. Cabral, M.S., C.G.C., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' targeted test panel facilitates accurate diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis, which heightens the risk for pancreatic cancer. Test results can guide cancer monitoring for patients and their families. (00:33) Dr. Hasadsri, can you tell the audience a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:32) And Ms. Cabral? (02:03) Can you please give the audience a brief overview of this assay? (03:33) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (04:23) What alternative test options are available and how do these compare to our hereditary pancreatitis test? (08:48) How are results used in patient care?

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. They discuss important industry updates and legislative insights gathered from Dr. Morice’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. Their discussion includes:

Wei Shen, Ph.D., and Rhianna Urban, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' gene panel establishes a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, which heightens the risk for several cancers. Test results can guide cancer surveillance for patients and their families. (00:32) Would each of you share a little bit about yourselves and your background? Dr. Shen? (01:25) Rihanna, could we have you give a little background about yourself as well? (01:48) Could you provide us with an overview of Lynch syndrome? (03:44) Can you expand on why genetic testing for Lynch syndrome is so important? (06:03) Who would benefit from Lynch testing? (07:51) Is Lynch syndrome the only type of inherited predisposition to colon cancer? (08:48) Does the healthcare provider order these tests, and what kind of samples should be considered in these patients? (10:50) Are there any limitations to the types of variants that can be detected by this test? And how does Mayo Clinic Laboratories ensure comprehensive results for patients? (14:24) How are the results used in patient care? (16:33) Could you summarize the benefits of these tests and of doing them at Mayo Clinic Laboratories?

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 Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, to follow up on the syphilis epidemic and discuss updated testing recommendations. Specific topics of discussion include: The report recently publishedtesting methods

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' nicotine testing benefits patients in substance-use cessation programs and other settings. The serum and urine tests quantify nicotine and various metabolites. (00:32) Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:42) Can you please provide an overview of substance use disorders, specifically nicotine dependence, and Mayo Clinic's nicotine testing options? (04:33) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (05:54) What alternative test options are available and how do these compare? (06:40) How are the results used in patient care?

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. They discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) progress on making a final rule around regulating laboratory-developed tests (LDTs). Their discussion includes: proposed rule

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 honor Black History Month. They reflect on important advancements in healthcare and laboratory medicine that were led by Black healthcare professionals and scholars. They also discuss health inequities that impact communities throughout the United States. Their discussion includes:

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 Stefan Grebe, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the Clinical Mass Spectrometry and Test Development Laboratory in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Irina Bancos, M.D.,consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism with a joint appointment in biochemistry and immunology. They discuss the diagnosis and management of adrenal gland tumors. Specific topics of discussion include: