The pandemic has brought forth extraordinary challenges but also shined a light on the importance of laboratory professionals in health care.

In this episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Reade Quinton, M.D., discusses what it takes to become a forensic pathologist, talks about common misconceptions related to the field, and describes what a day in the life of a forensic pathologist is like.

Dr. Guenzel, a fellow in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics at Mayo Clinic, is the recipient of this award for his publication “The critical role of psychosine in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of Krabbe disease.”

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discuss vaccine passports. They review how proof of vaccination could be used along with other tools, like testing, to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

In this month’s “Virtual Lecture,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., goes over the importance of maintaining a healthy blood donor community by talking about the effects of blood donation on stored iron and describing which individuals are at a higher risk for iron deficiency anemia.

Based on studies that have shown certain antibodies may not be as clinically relevant to autoimmune testing as previously thought, Mayo Clinic Laboratories is updating a number of its autoimmune profiles by removing some antibodies from them.

This week’s research roundup features a study on noncanonical AR addiction that drives enzalutamide resistance in prostate cancer.

Christopher Klein, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic’s updated myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome testing approach. Automatic reflex to second-line testing saves time and increases sensitivity and specificity to confirm diagnosis in patients with atypical presentation.

Top highlights include: Lessons learned in addressing global health equity, updates on traveling during the pandemic, and optimism along with concerns about the fourth wave of infections.

Cayuga Medical Center sought to challenge the narrative that a hospital’s lab is an expensive liability by positioning themselves as the laboratory of choice in their area.

Dr. Mills’ experience working with live cell bio-assays propelled him to centerstage in Mayo Clinic’s pursuit of a test to neutralize COVID-19 antibodies and aid in the development of therapies derived from COVID-19 patients' donated plasma.

Angela Reese Davis supervises more than 300 staff members in Mayo Clinic Laboratories Specimen Operations. As COVID-19 has brought constant change to her area throughout the last year, Angela and her team have met every challenge with determination, teamwork and grace.

This week’s research roundup features a study on convalescent plasma antibody levels and the risk of death from Covid-19.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., discusses the high-resolution targeted stimulant and PCP screening test from Mayo Clinic Laboratories, which offers sensitivity and specificity for use in the monitoring and management of patients who are prescribed CNS stimulant medications.

Top highlights include: The latest on COVID-19 vaccines for children, youth sport guidelines, and why you should get the first COVID-19 vaccine offered to you.