Past Seminars
Besides the noted exceptions, the following seminars were funded with the generous support of Perkin Elmer, Inc.
2009
Date: Oct. 27
Topic: "How genetic information is changing medical care: the case of HIV therapy"
Speaker: Luis M. Franco, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Richard J. Hamill, M.D., Professor, Department of Medicine, Section Infectious Disease, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: Sept. 22
Topic: "Understanding the variability in Noonan, Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous and Costello syndromes"
Speaker: Pilar L. Magoulas, M.S., C.G.C., Certified Genetic Counselor, Texas Children's Hospital; John Lynn Jefferies, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.C., Co-Director, Cardiovascular Genetics Service, Texas Children's Hospital
Date: August 19
Topic: "22Q and you! Updates on Velo-cardio-facial, DiGeorge and 22Q11.2 deletion syndrome"
Speaker: Dr. LaDonna L. Immken, Clinical Geneticist, Dell's Children's Hospital of Central Texas; Dr. M. Paige Powell, Licensed Psychologist and Coordinator, Psychology Program for Developmental Disorders, Texas Children's Hospital; Deborah Trejo, Parent Advocate and President, VCFS Texas, Inc.
This seminar was made possible by Title V funding awarded by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
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Date: August 17
Topic: "Updates on Down Syndrome"
Speaker: Dr. Carlos Bacino, Director, Genetics Clinic, Texas Children's Hospital; Dr. Nirupama Madduri, Clinic Director, Developmental Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital
This seminar was made possible by Title V funding awarded by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
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Date: June 19
Topic: "Rett Syndrome: The continued search for answers"
Speaker: Dr. Huda Zoghbi, Professor, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: April 14
Topic: "Causes & Consequences of Small for Gestational Age Infants"
Speakers: Dr. Kjersti Aagaard, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Eric Eichenwald, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Medical Director, Texas Children's Hospital Newborn Center
Date: Mar. 24
Topic: "New Insights into Autism" (Online Video Available)
Speakers: Dr. Arthur Beaudet, Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Sarika Peters
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Developmental Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: Feb. 17
Topic: "It's my heart: Updates on genetic causes of congenital heart disease"
Speakers: Dr. John Belmont, Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Corrie Stassen, Executive Director, It's My Heart; Dr. John Lynn Jeffries, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital
Date: Jan. 13
Topic: "The impact of our genes on cholesterol, lipids and heart disease”
Speakers: Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne, Chief, Section of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. John Belmont, Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
2008
Date: Nov. 18
Topic: "Velo-Cardio-Facial syndrome - 22q11.2 deletion. Charting a course for success!"
Velo-Cardio-Facial syndrome or VCFS is due to a tiny missing piece of genetic material from the 22nd chromosome and occurs in 1 in 2000 individuals. Children with VCFS are often born with heart defects and/or cleft palate and may have health problems including feeding and swallowing problems, the ability to fight infection, speech delay, and learning disabilities. This seminar will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of VCFS and will highlight ways in which early intervention and therapy can improve medical and developmental outcome in individuals with VCFS.
Speakers: Dr. Lorraine Potocki, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Paige Powell, Learning Support Center, Texas Children's Hospital; Mrs. Megan Wawarofsky, Parent Advocate
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Date: Oct. 14
Topic: “Breast cancer and your family history: how knowledge can keep you healthy”
Over 182,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and about 5-10% of these cases will be due to changes in a breast cancer gene. Knowing your family history can be the best tool in planning for health screening. This seminar will discuss the effect of family history on breast cancer risk, the current genetic tests as well as updates on breast cancer prevention using estrogen moderator medicines. In addition, this is an opportunity to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.
Speakers: Dr. Sharon Plon, Director, Adult Cancer Genetics Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Powel Brown, Director, Cancer Prevention Clinic, Breast Health Center, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: June 10
Topic: "Current Prospects for Stem Cell Therapies"
Speakers: Dr. Jonathan Berg, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Margaret Goodell, Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Hematology-Oncology
Date: May 6
Topic: "What's new in PKU?"
Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU, is a genetic condition where affected individuals are not able to break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in virtually all proteins in our diet. Elevated levels of phenylalanine are toxic to brain development and function, and if untreated causes mental retardation. Based upon newborn screening, babies diagnosed with PKU are placed on a low phenylalanine diet to reduce the phenylalanine level in the body, and with appropriate treatment children and adults can develop and live normally on this life-long diet plan. However, maintaining the protein restricted diet during adolescence and adulthood remains a challenge, but new studies show that an oral medication that stimulates the breakdown of phenylalanine can be effective in treating PKU in a percentage of affected individuals, and this treatment and other more novel therapies will be discussed at this seminar.
Speakers: Dr. William Craigen, Associate Professor, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Jocelyn Owens, R.D., L.D.; Judy Owens, parent
Date: April 10
Topic: "Recent Advances in Prader-Willi Syndrome"
Speakers: Dr. Arthur L. Beaudet, Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Ann Scheimann, Adjunct Faculty, Pediatrics - Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: March 25
Topic: "Neurofibromatosis Type I: Working to Solve the Puzzle"
Speaker: Dr. Maria Blazo, Assistant Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: Feb. 19
Topic: "A Story of Albinism"
Albinism is a group of genetic disorders causing people to have little pigment in their eyes, hair or skin.About 1 in 17,000 people has some form of albinism and many have vision problems. This seminar offers information on how albinism is inherited, current treatment for vision problems and one family’s perspective.
Speakers: Dr. Richard Lewis, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine; Mrs. Holly Mayer, parent and former board member of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH)
Date: Jan. 22
Topic: "Starting a family? Health tips and screening options for you and your partner"
This seminar offers information that can help you to be as prepared as possible before becoming pregnant. We will discuss how avoiding alcohol, knowing your health history and your family health history can be helpful in preparing for your pregnancy. Current screening options will also be reviewed.
Speakers: Sandra Darilek MS, CGC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Melissa Strassberg, MS, CGC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
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2007
Date: Nov. 6
Topic: "The Genetics of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Personal Journey"
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, commonly an inherited neurological disorder, affects approximately 150,000 Americans. The disease affects muscle and nerve function in patients' arms and legs, which leads to muscular weakness and atrophy.
Speaker: Dr. James Lupski, Vice Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: Oct. 9
Topic: "Challenges in the care of people with mitochondrial disorders"
Mitochondria are tiny structures found in all the cells in our bodies and produce most of the energy we need to function normally. Since almost all of the organs of the body rely on mitochondria for energy, people suffering from a mitochondrial disorder may have a wide range of symptoms, including exercise intolerance, muscle or heart weakness, diabetes, strokes, or vision and hearing loss, or they may have only mild signs of the disorder. Mitochondrial disorders are due to changes or mutations in the genes that are the blueprint for normal development and health. Treatments are available for many of the symptoms and current studies hope to improve the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults.
Speakers: Dr. Fernando Scaglia, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. William Craigen, Associate Professor, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Debra Schindler, President of Houston Chapter of United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
Date: Sept. 11
Topic: "Genetics of Osteoporosis and Brittle Bone Diseases"
Osteoporosis is a common disease of adulthood, but it has its roots in childhood. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to this problem and patients suffer from bone fractures and pain. Brittle bone disease in children and adults is one of several examples of genetic diseases that can cause osteoporosis and fractures.
Speakers: Dr. Brendan Lee, Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Lisa Walker, Parent advocate
Date: June 5
Topic: "Approaches to treatment of genetic diseases: enzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal disorders"
Speaker: Dr. Christine Eng, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: May 15
Topic: "Sickle Cell Disease: Update on Genetics, Care and Research"
Speakers: Dr. Chester Brown, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Brigitta Mueller, Director, Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Center
Date: April 24
Topic: "Expanded Newborn Screening in Texas: why early detection is so important"
Speaker: Dr. V. Reid Sutton, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: March 27
Topic: "Understanding William Syndrome: How do genes affect language and behavior?"
Speakers: Dr. Jonathan Berg, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Gordon Biescar, President, William Syndrome Association
Date: Feb. 20, 2007
Topic: "We have learned so much in the past 5 years! Genetic and Cardiology update on Marfan Syndrome."
Speakers: Dr. John Belmont, Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Jeff Towbin, Chief, Pediatrics Cardiology, Texas Children’s Hospital
Date: Jan. 30, 2007
Topic: "Genetics of congenital hearing loss: how early evaluation, diagnosis and treatment can help your child."
Speakers: Dr. Daryl Scott, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. John Oghalai, Assistant Professor, Otorhinolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine
2006
Date: Nov. 14
Topic: "The forgotten family history: Genetics of colon cancer"
Speakers: Dr. Sharon Plon, Director, Adult Cancer Genetics Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. David H. Berger, Vice Chair, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: Oct. 24
Topic: "New Genetic Testing for Children with Developmental Disabilities of Unknown Cause"
Speakers: Dr. Arthur L. Beaudet, Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Sherry Sellers Vinson, Chief, Developmental Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital
Date: Feb. 21
Topic: "Genetics and Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis"
Speakers: Dr. Arthur L. Beaudet, Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Peter Hiatt, Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Baylor College of Medicine
Date: March 21
Topic: "Genetic Connection: Multiple Sclerosis"
Speakers: Dr. George Hutton, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Tim Lotze, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Jennifer Northrop
Date: April 11
Topic: "New Insights into Down Syndrome"
Speakers: Dr. William Craigen, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Nirupama Madduri, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Developmental Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine; Rosa Rocha, past president of Down Syndrome Association of Houston
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Date: May 23
Topic: "Autism Treatment Network: Developing clinical and research centers of excellence"
Introduction: Audri Villalon, Chapter President, Cure Autism Now; Arthur L. Beaudet M.D., Chair, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Speakers: Dr. Margaret Bauman, Medical Director, Autism Treatment Network - LADDERS/Massachussets General Hospital; Dr. James Perrin, Director, Autism Treatment Network Coordinating Center - Massachussets General Hospital; Richard Fade, Parent, Board Member of Autism Treatment Network
For more information on Autism: please visit Cure Autism Now