The Impacts of STI Testing Innovation: Elitza Theel, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Russ Lebovitz, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Amprion. They discuss their strategic collaboration and the innovative SAAmplify™–αSYN (CSF) test. They covered: Details about how the cerebrospinal fluid biomarker test (Mayo ID: ASYNC) benefits patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of clinically uncertain cognitive decline or clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndromes.Groundbreaking science on proteins that Amprion leveraged to create a solution that meaningfully impacts patient care and provides value to clinicians.Information physicians receive from the test, and when they should consider ordering it for their patients. Opportunities to change diagnostic journeys by providing accurate, early diagnosis with SAAmplify–αSYN. 

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' SPAS test identifies the form of arsenic present in patients with arsenic exposure. That information is important for determining the potential level of harm and for removing the patient from the arsenic source to ease symptoms and prevent cancer risk.Speaker 3: (00:33) Do you mind telling us a little bit about yourself and your background? Speaker 3: (01:45)Could you please provide us with an overview of arsenic, how people get exposed, and the laboratory testing for arsenic and arsenic speciation? Speaker 3: (05:25)Which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed? Speaker 3: (06:57)What alternative test options are available, and how does testing at Mayo Clinic compare? Speaker 3: (08:37)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, to discuss the recent court judgment on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of lab-developed tests (LDT). They covered:  Details about the ruling to vacate the FDA’s rule on LDT oversight. What LDT oversight might look like in the future. How the laboratory medicine industry can help create an oversight approach that is positive for both patients and innovation. 

Jessica Wright, Pharm.D., BCACP, explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' 3A5Q test helps determine initial tacrolimus doses for individuals after non-liver organ transplants. Optimal tacrolimus levels are one of the important factors in survival of the transplanted organ.Speaker 3: (00:32) Could you provide us a with little bit about your background and yourself? Speaker 3: (03:45) Will you please provide a brief overview of Mayo test 3A5Q? Speaker 3: (06:56) Which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed? Speaker 3: (08:15) What alternative or complementary tests should be considered? Speaker 3: (09:25)How are the results used in patient care? Speaker 3: (10:38)Will you help the audience understand the significance of monitoring tacrolimus levels for transplant rejection? Speaker 3: (12:53)What alleles are included in this test?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, invited Min-Han Tan, M.B.B.S., FRCP, Ph.D., founding CEO and medical director of Lucence, to discuss liquid biopsy cancer testing. Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Lucence recently announced a collaboration to expand access to this cutting-edge cancer test that is designed to detect clinically relevant biomarkers in ctDNA and ctRNA.During their conversation, Dr. Morice and Dr. Tan explore:Inspiration for developing the liquid biopsy.Features that differentiate LiquidHALLMARK® from existing cancer tests.Patients who will benefit from the test and how an oncologist might use the results.The future potential of liquid biopsy advancements.

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 evolution of retail health. They cover several key topics, including:The emergence of retail health locations.Three types of care that are well-suited for a retail approach to healthcare.The importance of incorporating diagnostics when designing retail health.Keep up with the latest diagnostic news and Dr. Morice's insights on LinkedIn and X. 

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 infectious disease activity around the nation. They cover:    The high prevalence of influenza A, avian influenza, measles, and COVID-19. Reliable resources for information on the spread of infectious diseases. Prevention measures and their impact on the spread of infectious diseases. The risks associated with multiple infectious diseases circulating simultaneously at high rates. 

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, for a conversation about innovation in testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI). Topics include: The advantages and challenges of new types of specimen collection and testing methods, including over-the-counter, at-home, and point-of-care options. Implications home testing has for clinicians and public health. Barriers to making more at-home collection and over-the-counter testing products for STI testing.The growing need for tests to detect resistance markers as antimicrobial resistance increases. 

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, for a conversation about quality management. Specifically, they discuss: The benefit of investing in quality management for patients, staff, and the organization.How Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology in Rochester evolved and grew its quality management program.The advantage of holding 5–10-minute huddles each day.How the lab leverages education on quality tools and Gemba Walks to empower all staff to invest in quality management.

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 recent business trends in diagnostics and why it is important for pathologists to stay informed about these trends. Their conversation covers: What’s driving a renewed interest in investing in diagnostics.Why the knowledge pathologists have is so valuable in the current landscape.How the evolving expectations of laboratory professionals will make it important to stay informed about business trends.