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Unlocking the Dark Genome for Lupus and Other Autoimmune Diseases

Cambridge Associates

This episode has been named a Winner by the International Women’s Podcast Awards for their “A Moment of Visionary Leadership” category.

Autoimmune diseases like lupus impact over 5 million patients globally, but treatment options remain limited. However, by decoding the once mysterious “dark genome,” new therapies could be possible.

At one point, 98% of our DNA was considered “junk” and therefore not studied. Since then, we’ve learned that this “junk DNA” actually regulates gene expression and human disease. Now coined the “dark genome,” this episode takes you to the pioneers who are unlocking its potential to correct root causes of complex conditions like lupus. We’ll chat with those illuminating this uncharted territory and developing novel approaches, including:

  • Rosana Kapeller, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President, & CEO at Rome Therapeutics
  • Steve Kafka, General Partner at S32
  • Keri Mastrogiacomo, mother of a Lupus patient
  • Katherine Cavanagh, Associate Investment Director at Cambridge Associates

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Unseen Upside: Investments Beyond Their Returns is developed in partnership with PRX, an award-winning podcast media company. Cambridge Associates is a global investment firm that works with endowments, foundations, healthcare systems, pension plans, and private clients to implement and manage custom investment portfolios that aim to generate outperformance and maximize their impact on the world. Cambridge Associates delivers a range of portfolio management services, including outsourced CIO, non-discretionary portfolio management, staff extension, and asset class mandates.

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