UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

ASHG welcomed 2024–2026 Human Genetics Scholars, including Amber M. Abram, Kynon J. Benjamin, Razaq Durodoye, Tania Fabo, Gabrielle Ferra, JP Flores, Renée Fonseca, and Esteban Vazquez-Hidalgo, recognized for research and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in human genetics and genomics.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg significantly reduced hospital admissions and length of stay in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight, according to a SELECT trial analysis presented at ObesityWeek.

Massachusetts Ballot Question 4 proposes legalizing psychedelics for mental health treatment, aiming to benefit those with PTSD and other disorders. Proponents highlight potential efficiency, while opponents stress the need for more research on safety and efficacy. The debate reflects broader societal views on psychedelics as tools for healing, drawing from indigenous practices and modern clinical research.

Archon Biosciences, emerging from stealth with $20 million in seed financing, pioneers computationally designed Antibody Cages (AbCs) to unlock therapeutic targets. AbCs, a novel biologic class, combine antibodies with AI-generated protein structures, offering tunable target engagement and body-directed delivery. The platform, co-invented by Nobel Prize-winning David Baker, leverages AI for protein design, enabling rapid manufacturing and exploration of new geometric applications.

Electrical stimulation of the duodenum may offer a revolutionary outpatient procedure for Type 2 diabetes patients, potentially enabling glycemic control and discontinuing insulin use, according to a preliminary study at Amsterdam University Medical Center. The procedure, duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR), involves delivering electrical pulses to the duodenum's lining, enhancing insulin response. In a study of 14 participants, 86% maintained good glycemic control without insulin for a year, suggesting the procedure's significant role. The researchers are preparing a double-blind randomized controlled trial to further validate these findings.

FDA approved multi-target stool-based and blood-based colorectal screening tests in 2014 and 2021, respectively. Research shows colonoscopy remains most effective, with blood tests causing higher cancer incidence and deaths. Colonoscopies and stool-based tests are more cost-effective. Blood tests should only be used by non-screened individuals, pending future improvements.

The global biotechnology market, valued at USD 1.37 trillion in 2022, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% driven by technological advancements, increased R&D, and demand for innovative applications in healthcare and agriculture. Key technologies include 3D bioprinting, genomic analysis, fermentation, nanotechnology, and bioinformatics. Major players include AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Novo Nordisk, Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck KgaA, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Hoffmann-La Roche, Pfizer, and Moderna. Challenges include high costs, regulatory constraints, and ethical considerations.

James Song, MD, FAAD, shared 4 clinical pearls at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference: treating severe alopecia areata with DCPC, refractory discoid lupus erythematosus with deucravacitinib, refractory dermatomyositis with upadacitinib, and acantholytic disorders with biologics and JAK inhibitors. He also discussed advancements in atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, psoriasis, and topical treatments.

ASN Kidney Week 2024 will present results from high-impact phase 3 trials on hyponatremia correction, pegcetacoplan efficacy, semaglutide benefits, pain coping skills training, acellular tissue engineered vessel use, and dapagliflozin in advanced CKD.

ASN Kidney Week 2024 will present high-impact phase 3 clinical trials on hyponatremia, pegcetacoplan, semaglutide, Pain Coping Skills Training, Humacyte's ATEV, and dapagliflozin, affecting kidney care.