The genetic clues behind sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals

Every so often, we see headlines about an elite athlete collapsing mid-game. The crowd goes silent, emergency crews rush to the field, and everyone’s left wondering: how could this happen? The truth is, sometimes a hidden heart condition written deep in our DNA will unmask itself on the field.

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with sports cardiologist and cardiogeneticist Dr. Prashant Rao to explore the genetic roots of sudden cardiac events in young athletes. Together, they unpack the most common underlying genetic conditions responsible, what genomics is revealing about the specific genes involved, and the ongoing debate around genetic screening. Plus, the remarkable story of JJ: a young wrestler who survived cardiac arrest thanks to his early genetic diagnosis and fast-acting friends.

Listen in to learn why these devastating events happen, and how genomics is helping keep athletes safely in the game.

Click here for tickets and more information about the Nice Genes! Live podcast event on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025.

Resources

1. 78 minutes in the life (and near death) of Fabrice Muamba- The Guardian

2. Reggie Lewis death, explained: Revisiting the tragic passing of Celtics star in 1993- The Sporting News

3. Marc-Vivien Foe death: His legacy 10 years after collapsing on pitch- BBC Sport

4. The day Denmark stood still: Christian Eriksen’s collapse and the heroes who saved him- The Guardian

5. Soccer star speaks out 2 months after collapsing on field mid-game- ABC News

6. Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A 20-Year Study- AHA Journals

7. Sudden cardiac death in the young: the molecular autopsy and a practical approach to surviving relatives- European Heart Journal

8. An 18-Year-Old Athlete Almost Dropped Dead, but Friends Saved His Life: 'It's Really a Miracle'- People Magazine

How medical dramas shape the way we think about genomics

Medical dramas have been a staple of television for decades, from iconic primetime hits like Grey’s Anatomy and HOUSE, to newer favorites like The Pitt. It’s easy to get swept up in the high-stakes surgeries, love triangles, and melodramatoc monologues– but when it comes to the science, a second opinion might be in order.

In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers sets out to investigate how these kinds of TV shows shape our perceptions of science. First up, Watson script consultant Dr. Krysta Coyle breaks down some of the biggest genomic missteps medical dramas make, and dishes on what it’s like to be the science voice on set. Then, Ayden Eilmus, a bioethicist and medical drama scholar, explores the evolution of genetics on TV, from problematic eugenics-era storylines to the more complex and ethically rich portrayals we see today.

Hit "play" to uncover how our guilty-pleasure binge watches can have a bigger impact than just entertainment.

Click here for tickets and more information about the Nice Genes! Live podcast event on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025.

Resources

1. Eugenics and genetic screening in television medical dramas- BMJ Journals

2. Genetics in Television Medical Dramas- J Lit Sci

3. How Accurate Are Medical TV Shows?- Cleveland Clinic

4. Eugenics: Its Origin and Development (1883 - Present)- National Human Genome Research Institute

5. Watson Episode 12 recap: Bioengineered chaos, betrayal, and Moriarty’s return- Soap Central

6. Private Practice (2007, S1E6)

7. Chicago Hope S5E12

8. Grey's Anatomy, (2015, S11E10)

How new genomic approaches are helping diagnose and treat our tiniest patients

Welcoming a new baby brings boundless love, joy, and the usual sleepless nights of early parenthood. But in the NICU, when a newborn is unexpectedly sick, it’s the uncertainty that keep parents awake.

In this episode, our investigation takes us inside the neonatal intensive care unit, where genomic tools are mapping medical mysteries in record time. You’ll hear the remarkable story of “Baby KJ,” the first newborn to receive a personalized CRISPR treatment; insights from pediatric geneticist Dr. Tara Wenger on how new approaches to testing are changing care; and the story of Meredith Thomas– a mother whose fight for answers helped uncover a diagnosis that saved her daughter’s life.

From faster diagnoses to fairer care, join Dr. Kaylee Byers to learn how these genomic breakthroughs are redefining what’s possible for newborns and their families.

Click here for tickets and more information about the Nice Genes! Live podcast event on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025.

Resources

1. World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2. SeqFirst: Building equity access to a precise genetic diagnosis in critically ill newborns- The American Journal of Human Genetics

3. Implementation of First-Line Rapid Genome Sequencing in Non–Critical Care Pediatric Wards- The Journal of Pediatrics

4. Genetic Non-Discrimination Act- The Government of Canada