Brandon Colby
Encyclopedia
Brandon Colby, MD, MBA is an American physician, geneticist, entrepreneur and writer on topics of predictive medicine
and genetic testing.
He's the author of Outsmart Your Genes
and the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics
, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Colby's predictive medical practice, Existence Health, is also located in Los Angeles.
In April 2011, Colby appeared on the "How to Outsmart Your Genes" episode of the TV show The Doctors
. Existence Genetics performed genetic testing on several of show’s guests and Colby discussed the results. The testing focused on male pattern baldness, sexual compatibility, preconception and disease predisposition.
Colby has also appeared on ABC's Good Morning America (April 2010).
Colby designed the Nexus DNA chip, which is manufactured by Illumina
and run in a CLIA
-certified laboratory, that screens for over 700 common and rare disease predispositions utilizing a single test, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on the personalized prevention of disease so that clients of Existence Genetics can take action against any disease they are found to carry or to which they may be predisposed.
(EB), a rare disease which causes the skin to be heat sensitive and blisters to form on the hands and feet when one's skin temperature rises above a certain level. This condition sparked his interest in genetics early in life and led to his lifelong commitment to make a difference in the world of medicine through the use of genetic technologies.
Colby holds a degree in Genetics from the University of Michigan Honors Program, an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
, and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.
While a medical student at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University in New York City, Colby served first as elected vice-president of the student body from 2002–2003 and then elected student president of the entire medical and graduate schools from 2003-2004.
. This book is written for the lay reader and discusses the new field of predictive medicine and genetic testing from the perspective of a physician. The book provides specific examples of how genetic testing can be utilized to lower a person’s risk of a large number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, asthma and many others.
The book was featured on the "How to Outsmart Your Genes" episode of the TV show The Doctors.
In his book, Colby writes about how genetic testing can empower individuals to protect their future health and prevent disease. One topic he discusses in detail is Alzheimer’s, asserting that even if you are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, there are lifestyle choices you can make to help decrease risk and delay onset. One example he discusses is avoidance of head injury.
Colby discusses about how knowing your genetic predispositions can be important to medical decisions throughout your life such as if you are predisposed to cancers, limiting your exposure to radiation when possible can help prevent onset of cancer. He believes personalizing medicine with genetic testing is the revolution needed in the healthcare system because the current healthcare model is unsustainable.
Unlike some other geneticists, Colby is a strong advocate for performing genetic testing on newborns and children in order to ascertain their risk of diseases that may manifest much later in life, such as breast cancer
, melanoma
, and Alzheimer's. Throughout Outsmart Your Genes, Colby discusses that the reason for this is that parents can start to lower the risk of these diseases in their children if they find out their children are genetically predisposed to any of them. Colby provides specifics on how each of these diseases can start to be prevented in newborns and children.
is a genetic analysis and genetic reporting company that provides the healthcare industry and health & wellness organizations with access to affordable and easy-to-understand information about their client’s genes. The numerous genetic analysis and reporting technologies invented by Existence Genetics are currently patent-pending.
The company currently uses the Nexus DNA Chip, which was developed in-house, manufactured by Illumina
, and run in a CLIA-certified laboratory in the USA. The Nexus DNA Chip is purported to test for thousands of clinically-significant SNPs
, InDels
, and CNVs, and be able to assess a person’s risk of common diseases, such as many types of cancer and heart disease, as well as rare dominant diseases such as sudden cardiac death due to long QT syndrome
, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
, dilated cardiomyopathy
, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
, as well as rare recessive (carrier) diseases such as cystic fibrosis
, sickle cell anemia, and tay-sachs disease. Testing is offered in a variety of different panels, such as Women’s Health Panel, Newborn Panel, and Full Genome Analysis Panel.
Existence’s model of only providing services through healthcare providers, health and wellness organizations, and pharmaceutical companies separates it from the industry known as direct-to-consumer personal genomics (or DTC genetic testing).
services to its patients and personalizing healthcare based upon a person’s genes.
Colby sees genetics becoming fully integrated into all of healthcare in the near future noting that prevention will always be less expensive than treatment.
(ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine
(ACPM), and a member of the American Society of Human Genetics
(ASHG), the American Medical Association
(AMA), and the National Society of Genetic Counselors
(NSGC).
Colby received New York State Medical Society’s Community Service Award in 2004.
Predictive medicine
Predictive medicine is a rapidly emerging field of medicine that entails predicting disease and instituting preventive measures in order to either prevent the disease altogether or significantly decrease its impact upon the patient...
and genetic testing.
He's the author of Outsmart Your Genes
Outsmart Your Genes
In 2010, Penguin published the hardcover book Outsmart Your Genes by Brandon Colby MD. The paperback edition, which contained updated content and a new chapter on on a gene-based cure to HIV infection, was then published in 2011. This book is written for the lay reader and discusses the new field...
and the founder and CEO/Medical Director of Existence Genetics
Existence Genetics
Existence Genetics is a genetic analysis and genetic reporting company that provides the healthcare industry and health & wellness organizations with access to affordable and easy-to-understand information about their client’s genes...
, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Colby's predictive medical practice, Existence Health, is also located in Los Angeles.
In April 2011, Colby appeared on the "How to Outsmart Your Genes" episode of the TV show The Doctors
The Doctors (2008 TV series)
The Doctors is an American syndicated talk show airing daily in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. It debuted on September 8, 2008. The hour-long daytime program is produced by Phil McGraw and his son Jay McGraw and is distributed domestically and globally by CBS Television...
. Existence Genetics performed genetic testing on several of show’s guests and Colby discussed the results. The testing focused on male pattern baldness, sexual compatibility, preconception and disease predisposition.
Colby has also appeared on ABC's Good Morning America (April 2010).
Colby designed the Nexus DNA chip, which is manufactured by Illumina
Illumina (company)
Illumina, Inc. is a company incorporated in April 1998 that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and biological function. Using its technologies, the company provides a line of products and services that serve the sequencing, genotyping and...
and run in a CLIA
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 are United States federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States, except clinical trials and basic research.-CLIA Program:...
-certified laboratory, that screens for over 700 common and rare disease predispositions utilizing a single test, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on the personalized prevention of disease so that clients of Existence Genetics can take action against any disease they are found to carry or to which they may be predisposed.
Early life and education
Colby was born with epidermolysis bullosa simplexEpidermolysis bullosa simplex
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a disorder resulting from mutations in the genes encoding keratin 5 or keratin 14.Blister formation of EBS occurs at the dermoepidermal junction. Sometimes EBS is called epidermolytic.-Subtypes:...
(EB), a rare disease which causes the skin to be heat sensitive and blisters to form on the hands and feet when one's skin temperature rises above a certain level. This condition sparked his interest in genetics early in life and led to his lifelong commitment to make a difference in the world of medicine through the use of genetic technologies.
Colby holds a degree in Genetics from the University of Michigan Honors Program, an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
, and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.
While a medical student at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University in New York City, Colby served first as elected vice-president of the student body from 2002–2003 and then elected student president of the entire medical and graduate schools from 2003-2004.
Outsmart Your Genes
In 2010, Penguin published Colby's Outsmart Your GenesOutsmart Your Genes
In 2010, Penguin published the hardcover book Outsmart Your Genes by Brandon Colby MD. The paperback edition, which contained updated content and a new chapter on on a gene-based cure to HIV infection, was then published in 2011. This book is written for the lay reader and discusses the new field...
. This book is written for the lay reader and discusses the new field of predictive medicine and genetic testing from the perspective of a physician. The book provides specific examples of how genetic testing can be utilized to lower a person’s risk of a large number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, asthma and many others.
The book was featured on the "How to Outsmart Your Genes" episode of the TV show The Doctors.
In his book, Colby writes about how genetic testing can empower individuals to protect their future health and prevent disease. One topic he discusses in detail is Alzheimer’s, asserting that even if you are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, there are lifestyle choices you can make to help decrease risk and delay onset. One example he discusses is avoidance of head injury.
Colby discusses about how knowing your genetic predispositions can be important to medical decisions throughout your life such as if you are predisposed to cancers, limiting your exposure to radiation when possible can help prevent onset of cancer. He believes personalizing medicine with genetic testing is the revolution needed in the healthcare system because the current healthcare model is unsustainable.
Unlike some other geneticists, Colby is a strong advocate for performing genetic testing on newborns and children in order to ascertain their risk of diseases that may manifest much later in life, such as breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
, and Alzheimer's. Throughout Outsmart Your Genes, Colby discusses that the reason for this is that parents can start to lower the risk of these diseases in their children if they find out their children are genetically predisposed to any of them. Colby provides specifics on how each of these diseases can start to be prevented in newborns and children.
Existence Genetics
Founded in 2005 by Colby, Existence GeneticsExistence Genetics
Existence Genetics is a genetic analysis and genetic reporting company that provides the healthcare industry and health & wellness organizations with access to affordable and easy-to-understand information about their client’s genes...
is a genetic analysis and genetic reporting company that provides the healthcare industry and health & wellness organizations with access to affordable and easy-to-understand information about their client’s genes. The numerous genetic analysis and reporting technologies invented by Existence Genetics are currently patent-pending.
The company currently uses the Nexus DNA Chip, which was developed in-house, manufactured by Illumina
Illumina (company)
Illumina, Inc. is a company incorporated in April 1998 that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and biological function. Using its technologies, the company provides a line of products and services that serve the sequencing, genotyping and...
, and run in a CLIA-certified laboratory in the USA. The Nexus DNA Chip is purported to test for thousands of clinically-significant SNPs
SNP array
In molecular biology and bioinformatics, a SNP array is a type of DNA microarray which is used to detect polymorphisms within a population. A single nucleotide polymorphism , a variation at a single site in DNA, is the most frequent type of variation in the genome. For example, there are around 10...
, InDels
Indel
Indel is a molecular biology term that has different definitions in different fields:*In evolutionary studies, indel is used to mean an insertion or a deletion and indels simply refers to the mutation class that includes both insertions, deletions, and the combination thereof, including insertion...
, and CNVs, and be able to assess a person’s risk of common diseases, such as many types of cancer and heart disease, as well as rare dominant diseases such as sudden cardiac death due to long QT syndrome
Long QT syndrome
The long QT syndrome is a rare inborn heart condition in which delayed repolarization of the heart following a heartbeat increases the risk of episodes of torsade de pointes . These episodes may lead to palpitations, fainting and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation...
, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium in which a portion of the myocardium is hypertrophied without any obvious cause...
, dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems....
, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia , also called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy , is an inherited heart disease....
, as well as rare recessive (carrier) diseases such as cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
, sickle cell anemia, and tay-sachs disease. Testing is offered in a variety of different panels, such as Women’s Health Panel, Newborn Panel, and Full Genome Analysis Panel.
Existence’s model of only providing services through healthcare providers, health and wellness organizations, and pharmaceutical companies separates it from the industry known as direct-to-consumer personal genomics (or DTC genetic testing).
Existence Health
Colby is Medical Director of Existence Health, a private medical practice founded in 2010 and based in Los Angeles. The focus at Existence Health is on providing cutting-edge predictive medicinePredictive medicine
Predictive medicine is a rapidly emerging field of medicine that entails predicting disease and instituting preventive measures in order to either prevent the disease altogether or significantly decrease its impact upon the patient...
services to its patients and personalizing healthcare based upon a person’s genes.
Colby sees genetics becoming fully integrated into all of healthcare in the near future noting that prevention will always be less expensive than treatment.
Social media
Colby conducts extensive social media initiatives surrounding educating people about genetic technologies and predictive medicine. His Facebook community states it is focused on providing updates on genetic testing and the genetic revolution.Affiliations and awards
Colby is an Affiliate Specialist of the American College of Medical GeneticsAmerican College of Medical Genetics
The American College of Medical Genetics is an organization composed of biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other health care professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics....
(ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Preventive Medicine
Founded in 1954, the American College of Preventive Medicine is a U.S.-based physician organization focused on practice, research, publication, and teaching of evidence-based preventive medicine...
(ACPM), and a member of the American Society of Human Genetics
American Society of Human Genetics
The American Society of Human Genetics , founded in 1948, is the primary professional membership organization for specialists in human genetics worldwide. As of 2009, the organization had approximately 8,000 members...
(ASHG), the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
(AMA), and the National Society of Genetic Counselors
National Society of Genetic Counselors
The National Society of Genetic Counselors , founded and incorporated in 1979, is the largest association of genetic counselors in the world...
(NSGC).
Colby received New York State Medical Society’s Community Service Award in 2004.