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Test in Focus

Our experts discuss the testing from Mayo Clinic Laboratories so you can stay up to date on the most advanced diagnostics and newly developed tests.

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Lipid assay improves cardiovascular risk prediction: Jeff Meeusen, Ph.D.
January 4, 2024

Jeff Meeusen, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new MI-Heart Ceramides assay helps guide the management of patients with mildly to moderately high cholesterol. The test measures levels of lipids beyond cholesterol that boost cardiovascular risk.
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Test helps identify elusive central nervous system pathogens: Robin Patel, M.D.
January 2, 2024

Robin Patel, M.D., explains how a new Mayo Clinic Laboratories' assay can identify central nervous system pathogens that standard tests fail to detect. Rapid, precise diagnosis is essential to preventing long-term effects from these infections.
Close-up of lab slides organized in metal racks.
Unique testing helps identify cause of sudden cardiac death: Linnea Baudhuin, Ph.D., and Kate Kotzer, M.S., CGC
December 28, 2023

Linnea Baudhuin, Ph.D., and Kate Kotzer, M.S., CGC, describe how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' postmortem genetic tests can provide answers after a sudden unexplained cardiac death. Test results are important for managing family members' risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Assay finds genetic cause of low bile flow: Devin Oglesbee, Ph.D.
December 26, 2023

Devin Oglesbee, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' cholestasis gene panel identifies mutations that cause low flow of bile from the liver. Test results help guide treatment decisions that can prevent liver damage.
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Assay identifies biomarker of autoimmune encephalitis subtype: Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D.
December 19, 2023

Antibody against the GABA-A receptor is a biomarker of autoimmune encephalopathy that occurs across the lifespan, and disproportionately affects children. In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' GABA-A receptor antibody assay aids diagnosis of this serious but treatable condition.
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Panel offers proactive drug monitoring for IBD: Maria Willrich, Ph.D., and Melissa Snyder, Ph.D.
December 12, 2023

Maria Willrich, Ph.D., and Melissa Snyder, Ph.D., describe Mayo Clinic Laboratories' panel for proactive therapeutic drug monitoring of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The panel expands options for clinicians assessing patients' response to infliximab and adalimumab.
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RNA test identifies large B-cell lymphoma subtypes: Lisa Rimsza, M.D.
November 14, 2023

Lisa Rimsza, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique PM3CX test can accurately determine subtypes of large B-cell lymphoma. Precise diagnosis is critical to choosing appropriate chemotherapy.
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Test for LDL subtype helps manage coronary risk: Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D., and Leslie Donato, Ph.D.
August 8, 2023

Patients with elevated LDL or "bad" cholesterol face even greater risk if their levels of small dense LDL cholesterol are also high. Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D., and Leslie Donato, Ph.D., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' sdLDL-c assay measures concentrations of the small dense LDL subtype, to better guide clinical care.
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Panel pinpoints causes of genetic hearing loss: Nicole Boczek, Ph.D., and Melanie Meyer, M.S, CGC
August 1, 2023

Identifying a precise genetic cause of hearing loss impacts clinical management. Nicole Boczek, Ph.D., and Melanie Meyer, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' updated panel yields comprehensive results for optimal patient care.
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Breast cancer panel halves turnaround time: Wei Shen, Ph.D.
July 25, 2023

In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Wei Shen, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new breast cancer panel provides rapid results to guide critical decisions about treatment and screening.
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Gynecological NGS panels offer cost-effective cancer testing: Sounak Gupta, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
July 18, 2023

Sounak Gupta, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' gynecological NGS panels provide focused assessments of gynecological cancers. The cost-effective tests fill the gap between single gene assays and large cancer panels, to inform prognosis and treatment.
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Urologic panels provide focused cancer testing: Sounak Gupta, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
July 11, 2023

Sounak Gupta, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' urologic panels efficiently inform prognosis and individualized cancer treatment. The carefully curated panels fill the void between single gene assays and large NGS panels.
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