Fighting Infections with Genomic Testing: Evan Jones of OpGen Describes Exciting New Technology
Finding Genius Podcast
Richard Jacobs
4.4 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 15 January 2020
⏱️ 21 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
OpGen uses genomics and informatics to improve management of patient infections by detecting antibiotic-resistant microbes. Mr. Jones describes
- How they do this by identifying the DNA of bacteria within hours rather than the days current tests take, and with more effective pathogen detection.
- Why this polymerase chain reaction test is able to be specific in recognizing the actual pathogen.
- What medicine this technology is specially designed for such as urinary tract infection antibiotics.
If a patient comes to the hospital with urosepsis from ineffective treatment, they don't have days to wait for information. OpGen's genomics testing and data from informatics will deliver accurate pathogen detection within hours, giving doctors the correct urinary tract infection antibiotics.
Furthermore, the over use of antibiotics puts doctors in a difficult position of most likely under or over prescribing for patients when they won't know for days exactly what pathogen their patient is facing. This doesn't work for superinfections or broadly resistant pathogens. OpGen's genomics testing gives caregivers answers within hours to help the correct course of treatment through effective pathogen detection.
In addition to urinary tract infection antibiotics identification, they are also developing equivalent systems for respiratory tract infections. Mr. Jones expects this technology will be cleared for use in our medical system by the end of 2020.
For more, see their website at opgen.com and follow them on twitter: @OpGen
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | You're listening to the Future Tech Podcast with Richard Jacobs. |
| 0:09.0 | Future Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, |
| 0:11.8 | Stem Cells, 3D printing, gene editing, |
| 0:14.6 | Bitcoin, blockchain, the microbiome, quantum computing, virtual reality, and exploring space |
| 0:21.0 | are much closer than you might think. |
| 0:23.0 | In fact, many early versions of these technologies are in play right now, |
| 0:27.0 | and the companies that are using these technologies are the focus of this podcast. |
| 0:31.0 | My goal for you, the listener, is to learn from these |
| 0:34.4 | podcasts. You may very well learn something that may change the course of your life |
| 0:38.2 | for the better. Steer you towards a new career or give you insight into |
| 0:42.4 | addressing a thorny medical problem. |
| 0:44.4 | Remember, this podcast and its content is informational and nature only. No medical, |
| 0:49.3 | tax, legal, financial, or psychological advice is being given. |
| 0:53.0 | If you've enjoyed the podcast, please listen, subscribe, like, and tell your friends about it. |
| 0:58.0 | Thank you. Richard Jacobs with the Future Tech and Finding Genius Podcast network. |
| 1:08.8 | I have Evan Jones, he's the CEO of Optin, a publicly traded company, Optgen Incorporated. |
| 1:14.0 | We're talking about their work. |
| 1:16.4 | So Evan, thanks for coming. |
| 1:18.4 | Thank you. |
| 1:19.4 | It's great to catch up this afternoon. |
| 1:20.4 | Yeah, tell me, what's the premise of Optgen itself and then we'll talk about some of the |
| 1:25.0 | particular projects that are in play right now? Sure. Well, Opgen's a genomics and informatics company that is focused on |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Richard Jacobs, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Richard Jacobs and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.