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DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

By: Kira Dineen Gene Pool Media
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Discover New Advances in the world of genetics, from technology like CRISPR to rare diseases to new research. For over a decade, multi-award winning podcast ”DNA Today” has brought you the voices of leaders in genetics. Host Kira Dineen brings her genetics expertise to interview geneticists, genetic counselors, patient advocates, biotech leaders, researchers, and more.

***Best Science and Medicine Podcast Award Winner (2020, 2021 and 2022)***

Learn more (and stream all 400+ episodes) at DNAtoday.com. You can contact the show at info@DNAtoday.com.


This show is part of "Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network" head to GenePoolMedia.com to explore all our science themed shows.

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Episodes
  • #401 The First Precision Medicine for Achondroplasia with Dr. Ravi Savarirayan

    #401 The First Precision Medicine for Achondroplasia with Dr. Ravi Savarirayan
    Jul 3 2026
    Just a few years ago, there were no pharmacological treatments for patients with achondroplasia. Today, with multiple therapies on the market, the conversation has shifted from if we can treat to how we treat safely, consistently, and thoughtfully. In this third and final installment of our achondroplasia series, sponsored by BioMarin, we explore the recently published international consensus guidelines for vosoritide. These guidelines provide a roadmap for the entire treatment lifecycle, from the initial diagnosis and counseling to initiation, monitoring, and eventually, the transition off therapy. You can review the prescribing information for vosoritide here with additional safety information, including about the risk of low blood pressure. Joining us in-person all the way from Australia is the lead author of these guidelines, Dr. Ravi Savarirayan. Dr. Savarirayan is a global leader in skeletal dysplasia and has been a driving force in the clinical development of vosoritide from its earliest stages. Topics Discuss: The Journey of Vosoritide: Dr. Savarirayan shares his personal "why", from the early research phases to the clinical trials that changed the landscape of skeletal dysplasia care. Precision Medicine at the Molecular Level: How vosoritide acts as the first precision medicine approved for achondroplasia by targeting and counteracting overactive FGFR3 signaling, along with important safety information such as a risk for low blood pressure The International Guidelines: Why a global consensus was necessary and how it addresses gaps in real-world clinical practice. The Treatment Lifecycle: Counseling: Setting expectations and having the first conversation with families. Initiation: Practical tips for daily subcutaneous injections and establishing a routine. Safety & Monitoring: How clinicians monitor growth and manage safety considerations like hypotension across different age groups. Discontinuation: How to navigate growth plate closure and the transition off therapy. The Future of Care: How these guidelines will evolve as we gather more long-term, real-world data. Our Guest Dr. Ravi Savarirayan: Ravi Savarirayan is consultant clinical geneticist at Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne, and Group leader (Molecular Therapies at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Victoria, Australia. Professor Savarirayan received his MBBS from the University of Adelaide, Australia in 1990 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1997. He was certified as a specialist in Clinical Genetics by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia in 1998 and was awarded his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Melbourne in 2004. He was awarded the Fulbright Professional Scholarship for Australia in 1998, and took this up at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Professor Savarirayan’s primary research focus is on inherited disorders of the skeleton causing short stature, arthritis, and osteoporosis. He has published over 230 peer-reviewed articles and received over $35M in research funding, collaborating with researchers from 40 countries. His current clinical trial activities are pioneering disruptive new therapies for the treatment of genetic disorders. He was the global lead investigator of the clinical development program that identified vosoritide as the first precision therapy for children with achondroplasia. He was recently named one of the 30 “Brilliant minds” of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute over the past 30 years, was awarded the Institute’s research excellence award in 2020, and is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow. Summary: We talk about the journey to vosoritide, Dr. Ravi’s personal history with achondroplasia research, published treatment guidelines and how vosoritide is approved under accelerated approval to increase linear growth in pediatric patients with achondroplasia with open epiphyses. We also discuss the most serious side effect seen—transient decreases in blood pressure, which is why patients should have adequate food and fluid intake prior to administration. We also cover that it is a daily injection and that injection site reactions are the most common side effect and some patients also experienced vomiting, injection site urticaria, arthralgia, decreased blood pressure, and gastroenteritis. Those aren't all the side effects, so please refer to the prescribing information here for more information about vosoritide. Relevant Resources: Savarirayan, R., Hoover-Fong, J., Ozono, K. et al. International consensus guidelines on the implementation and monitoring of vosoritide therapy in individuals with achondroplasia. Nat Rev Endocrinol 21, 314–324 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-024-01074-9 ...
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    37 mins
  • #402 How Genetic Genealogy Caught the Golden State Killer

    #402 How Genetic Genealogy Caught the Golden State Killer
    Jul 10 2026
    What happens when DNA from a decades-old crime scene meets a family tree created generations later? That combination helped investigators identify the Golden State Killer and transformed how law enforcement approaches some of the country’s most difficult cold cases. Content warning: This episode includes discussions of murder, sexual assault, suicide, and other sensitive topics. In this episode of DNA Today, host Kira Dineen speaks with Paul Holes, a retired cold-case investigator, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and television host. During his 27-year career with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices, Paul worked on some of the most infamous cases in American criminal history, including the Zodiac murders, the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, and the investigation that ultimately identified Joseph DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer. Paul is also the author of Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases, co-host of the podcast Small Town Dicks, and one of the investigators featured in the television special Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe, available on Hulu. We explore the science, strategy, and ethical complexity behind cold-case investigations. Paul shares how investigators determine whether decades-old evidence still holds value, what kind of DNA evidence would be needed to scientifically resolve the Zodiac case, and why older biological samples create difficult decisions about whether to test now or preserve evidence for future technologies. The episode also dives into the landmark investigation that identified the Golden State Killer. Paul walks through how traditional forensic DNA databases failed to produce a match, why investigative genetic genealogy changed the direction of the case, and how distant relatives’ DNA helped investigators build family trees that eventually led to Joseph DeAngelo. Later in the episode, Paul discusses his latest project, Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe, and how modern virtual reconstruction can be used to reexamine a historic death scene more than six decades later. Episode Discussion Topics Cold-case investigations and how evidence is reexamined decades laterHow investigators decide which biological samples may still have forensic valueThe Zodiac Killer case and what would be needed to consider it scientifically solvedThe challenges of DNA evidence from stamps, envelopes, letters, and other handled itemsWhy finite evidence creates difficult decisions about testing now versus waiting for future technologyThe role of DNA in linking the Golden State Killer crimes before a suspect was identifiedWhy traditional forensic DNA databases did not solve the caseHow investigative genetic genealogy helped generate a new leadHow distant relatives’ DNA can help identify someone who never uploaded their own DNAThe scientific and investigative process behind building genealogical trees from crime-scene DNAHow investigators narrowed family branches until Joseph DeAngelo became a viable suspectReconstructing Marilyn Monroe’s final hours using virtual crime-scene technologyWhat records, photographs, reports, and witness statements can reveal in historical case reviews About Paul Holes Paul Holes is a retired cold-case investigator, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and television host. During his 27-year career with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices, he investigated some of the country’s most complex and high-profile cases, including the Zodiac murders, the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, and the Golden State Killer case. Paul’s work helped bring national attention to the power of investigative genetic genealogy, particularly through the identification of Joseph DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer. He is the author of Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases, co-host of Small Town Dicks, and appears in Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe. Resources Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases by Paul HolesSmall Town Dicks podcastCelebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe, available on Hulu Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode #326: How DNA Solves Crimes: The Forensic Science Behind True Crime #131: DTC Series: Libby Copeland on Law Enforcement Use of Genetic Databases #130 DTC Series: Anne Greb on 23andMe Connect Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 400 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, just search “DNA Today.” Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! The video component of this episode is available on our YouTube channel and website. Some of these episodes were filmed at our home studio, the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Social Media Lead is Liv Davidson. Our Digital Marketing and Automation...
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    24 mins
  • #400 The Story Behind "DNA Today"

    #400 The Story Behind "DNA Today"
    Jun 26 2026
    Four hundred episodes. Nearly fourteen years of conversations. One podcast that began with a high school student, a Rock Band microphone, and a deep curiosity about genetics. For this milestone episode, DNA Today is turning the microphone around. Kira Dineen is joined by Jess Rizzo, a 2026 graduate of the Rutgers University Genetic Counseling Master’s Program, to look back at the evolution of DNA Today, from its earliest episodes in 2012 to becoming a multi-award-winning genetics podcast and the foundation for Gene Pool Media. Kira shares how the original idea for DNA Today came together, where the name came from, and what she remembers about recording those first episodes. She also reflects on the major turning points that shaped the podcast, including its first sponsorship, conversations with prominent leaders in genetics, and interviews that changed how she thinks about both science and storytelling. The conversation explores what makes someone an effective science communicator, what separates a good podcast guest from an unforgettable one, and how DNA Today expanded into Gene Pool Media. Kira also looks ahead to the future of the podcast and considers whether the version of herself who started the show in 2012 could ever have imagined reaching Episode 400. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of “DNA Today Superlatives,” featuring Kira’s dream guests, proudest episode production, most surprising topics, most popular episode, and the conversations that have had the greatest personal impact on her. An exciting announcement, since recording we learned we have been ranked number one on Million Podcast’s list of “Best DNA Podcasts in the US”. Thank you to our audience for sticking with us! Whether you have been listening since 2012, or last week. We appreciate your support in growing DNA Today over the last 14 years. About Host Kira Dineen Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM (she/her) has 15 years of podcast experience fueled by a passion for science communication. She has hosted and/or produced a dozen podcasts, many of which are in her science podcast network: Gene Pool Media. Her flagship show, DNA Today, is in the top 1% of podcasts globally. Listeners Discover New Advances in the world of genetics through Kira’s interviews about genetic technology, disorders, and news. The show has won the Best Science and Medicine Podcast Award for three years, among others. Over the last 14 years, DNA Today has produced over 400 episodes with support from over 100 sponsors. She was accepted into The Podcast Academy and previously served on the National Society of Genetic Counselor’s Digital Ambassador program. Kira received her Diagnostic Genetic Bachelor’s of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. She received her Master’s of Science at Sarah Lawrence College and is a practicing licensed certified genetic counselor at a high risk pregnancy center in Connecticut. Kira serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bay Path University teaching Ethics and Reproductive Genetics. In This Episode, We Discuss How DNA Today began in 2012The story behind the podcast’s nameWhat the earliest recordings were likeHow the show has evolved over 400 episodesMajor episodes and guests that shaped the direction of the podcastThe first DNA Today sponsorship on Episode 100 (shoutout KGI) What makes a strong science communicatorThe qualities that make a podcast guest memorableHow Gene Pool Media grew out of DNA TodayThe lessons Kira has learned from interviewing patients, families, researchers, genetic counselors, physicians, advocates, and other expertsThe future of DNA Today and Gene Pool MediaKira’s favorite, most impactful, and most surprising episodes DNA Today Episodes Referenced #25: Hereditary Cancer Syndromes with Ellen Matloff #110: Analyzing Gattaca#142 Barbara Fortini on KGI’s Genomic Data Analytics#100: Human Hereditary with Carl Zimmer#211: Gene Patents with Jorge Contreras #264: XXY/Klinefelter Syndrome with Ryan Bregante#288 and #289: Sickle Cell Disease CRISPR Treatment with Victoria Gray#300: “The Man with 1,000 Kids” Netflix Doc with Eve Wiley and Laura #306: Human Genome Project and COVID-19 Leadership with Dr. Francis Collins#370: Genetics Wrapped: 2025 Top Advances in Genomic Medicine with Drs. Eric Green and Sarah Tishkoff#390: Pfeiffer Syndrome with Prince’s Wife/Co-Parent, Mayte Garcia Additional Resources Referenced Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network Listen & Learn: A Rare Disease Podcast Course by Gene Pool MediaDNA Dialogues: The Official Podcast of the Journal of Genetic Counseling DNA Clarity and Support Podcast All Access DNA Podcast Mugglecast: A Harry Potter Podcast (2005-Present)Keck Graduate Institute Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic CounselingMaster of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics My Gene Counsel “My Medical Choice” Angelina Jolie’s NTY ...
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    35 mins
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