Stories

Her father was a heavy smoker who eventually needed bypass surgery for his clogged arteries, and three of her sisters died prematurely from heart attacks. So, as Stephanie Blendermann approached the age of 65, she had good reason to think her family history would catch up with her sooner or later. That is, until she came to Mayo Clinic for ceramide testing, which helped to change the trajectory of her life.

This week's research roundup feature: A lncRNA from the FTO locus acts as a suppressor of the m6A writer complex and p53 tumor suppression signaling.

This week's research roundup feature: The clinical and molecular spectrum of ETV6 mutated myeloid neoplasms.

Joune Twist has always embraced her natural interest for learning new information and improving processes. In 2019, her curiosity and previous work led her to join Mayo Clinic’s Neuroimmunology Lab. As a medical laboratory scientist, Joune tests patient samples and shares her findings with providers.

This week's research roundup feature: Natural history, predictors of development of extramedullary disease, and treatment outcomes for patients with extramedullary multiple myeloma.

Tying together the expertise and curiosity of Mayo Clinic autoimmune neurology researchers with eager patients who have rare disease and are looking for answers, the innovative collaboration benefits both patients affected by MOGAD and scientists on the front lines of discovery.

This week's research roundup feature: Comparison of two assays to diagnose herpes simplex virus in patients with central nervous system infections.

Joe Mondloch and his wife Sue have existed in a grey area of uncertainty due to the unpredictable autoimmune neurological illness Joe has lived with for the last seven years. Rare, incurable, and debilitating, the newly classified disorder can be hard to manage. But thanks to information and direction provided by a rare disease advocacy group, the Mondlochs sought care at Mayo Clinic and received much more than answers.

As the creative director for Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Amy Turunen finds that each day brings unique creative opportunities and marketing projects. Through her design work and creative direction, Amy helps to curate testing awareness and provide insightful information to physicians, lab partners, and patients.

This week's research roundup feature: Emergence of inducible macrolide resistance in mycobacterium chelonae due to broad-host-range plasmid and chromosomal variants of the novel 23S rRNA methylase gene, erm(55).

This week's research roundup feature: SARS-CoV-2 spike codon mutations and risk of hospitalization after antispike monoclonal antibody therapy in solid organ transplant recipients.

In 2010, Jessica Balcom began her career with Mayo Clinic supporting molecular testing in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology with a joint appointment in the Mayo Clinic Cystic Fibrosis Center. Now she serves as a hematology-oncology genetic counselor supervisor managing a large team of genetic counselors, assistants, and a clinical variant scientist who help guide appropriate utilization of genetic testing.

This week's research roundup feature: Career decisions, training priorities, and perceived challenges for anesthesiology residents in the United States.