peter marks

Gene Therapy's Potential to Transform Rare Disease Treatment

Dr. Peter Marks highlights the groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy, especially for rare diseases with high unmet medical needs. He discusses the FDA's role in fostering these innovations, underscoring the importance of understanding gene therapy's application and ensuring its safe delivery. Dr. Marks emphasizes the challenges in manufacturing gene therapies, noting that overcoming these hurdles is essential for treating large populations and common diseases. This insight reflects on the hope and complexity of gene therapy, aiming to provide one-time treatments that could drastically improve patient outcomes.

The Role of AI in Enhancing Gene Therapy Development

Dr. Marks points out the significant potential use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in gene therapy, from product design to clinical development and manufacturing. AI’s ability to predict off-target effects and streamline the manufacturing process could be a game-changer in this space. By harnessing AI, researchers and developers can optimize safety signals and process large quantities of data for continuous improvement. This insight underscores the potential of AI to revolutionize gene therapy, making it more efficient and effective.

Emphasizing the Human Impact of Gene Therapies

Dr. Marks and Miller share personal stories of patients and families affected by rare diseases, illustrating the transformative power of gene therapy. They recount profound effects of recent gene therapy approvals on individuals and their communities, particularly highlighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Marks's narrative conveys the deep emotional and physical impact of gene therapy, not just as a scientific achievement but as a means to significantly enhance lives. This insight brings to light the importance of patient-centered approaches in the development and application of gene therapies.

Watch the full webinar here: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/covid-19-fourth-dose-boosters-and-vaccine-update-peter-marks-md

We’ll soon be walking around with them and flashing them to wine, dine and travel – but how easy will it be to spot a legitimate vaccine passport compared to a fake one? We discuss what could have prevented a security flaw and what’s being done about fake vaccine passports.  

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia will be using an artificial intelligence tool to stem abusive messages being sent on electronic payments.

Plus, Facebook and Instagram introduce new features in an effort to protect young users from harmful content.

And would you wear a smart headband that claims to make you calmer?

Guests: Ariel Bogle, Analyst at ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre & Peter Marks, software developer at Access Informatics

The chief examiner for the Master of Wine (MW) tasting exam is a terrifying figure guaranteed to strike fear and despair into the hearts of all aspiring MW students. So we ask him how to pass the exam. And it turns out he’s actually pretty nice, and meditates in his spare time. A lesson to us all…

Beyond that, we hear short sharp blasts of top-quality advice and insight from two of the most recently crowned Masters of Wine: Jacky Blisson from Montreal and the first Italian MW, Gabriele Gorelli. We also get an insight into the trials, tribulations (and positive experiences) of former teetotaller now current MW student Sumi Sarma, who’s gearing up to do her big Stage 2 exams.

Not only that but Mags Janjo speaks eloquently about being a prospective MW student, what winning the Golden Vines MW scholarship means to him, plus the key issue of diversity and inclusivity in wine.

Somehow we also find time to touch on the questionable wisdom of Homer Simpson, mention Peter’s Mum and dwell briefly on the importance of home-made sausage rolls and ‘feeding the inner nerd’. We also get down on bended knee to implore you to vote for us in the People's Choice Podcast Awards. Thank you in advance… 

This is the final episode in Season Two. We’ll be storming back to start Season Three in September. Don’t go anywhere, you won’t want to miss it!

Facebook says it will suspend former US president Donald Trump's accounts for two years following its finding that he stoked violence ahead of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol in Washington DC. But what are the wider ramifications of that decision?

Also - what do you get when you sign up for Twitter’s new paid service Twitter Blue? Turns out not a lot.

Plus - Apple updates, and would you play videogames on Netflix?

Guests: Dr Emily van der Nagel, Social Media Lecturer at Monash University & Peter Marks, freelance software developer and technology commentator

Apple unveil new plans for podcasters to get paid on their platform, but will it work? And what does it say about the monetisation of podcasts?

Meanwhile, India cracks down on social media posts that are critical of the government’s handling of the Covid crisis

Plus - digital horse racing. Can you trust it?

Guests: Meg Coffey, social media strategist & Peter Marks, software developer