#380 “Rare Rebels”: When Parents Drive Science, The Story of MPS I
Fri Feb 06 2026
To kick off Rare Disease Month we are thrilled to share the pilot of the newest podcast in our Gene Pool Media science podcast network, Rare Rebels.
The Rare Rebels™ Podcast shares raw, unscripted conversations with patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates who are changing the future of rare disease. Through these real voices, Rare Rebels builds understanding, inspires action, and drives change.
The host Melody Joy Paine is a thought provoking and empathic interview. It is not surprising that she has won multiple awards for her storytelling and advocacy work.
In this episode, a rare disease dad and advocate, Mark Dant, tells the story of his son, Ryan, being diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, and the scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis whose persistence changed their lives.
In This Episode:
Mark Dant’s personal journey as a parent advocate after his son Ryan’s diagnosis with MPS I
Being told “nothing can be done” and choosing to challenge that narrative
Navigating rare disease advocacy before the internet, social media, or established drug development pathways
Teaching himself medical and scientific concepts without formal training
Early advocacy tactics: medical dictionaries, libraries, conferences, and cold outreach
Building a nonprofit organization from the ground up to support research and families
The fragmented healthcare and research system rare disease families faced in the 1990s
The critical role of relationships in advancing rare disease research
Mark’s partnership with physician-scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis and how trust fueled progress
Bridging families, clinicians, and researchers to accelerate treatment development
The path to developing the first treatment for MPS I
How one family’s advocacy changed outcomes for future patients
Parents as drivers of innovation in rare disease
Persistence, collaboration, and problem-solving in the absence of clear systems
Enduring lessons for today’s rare disease community and advocates
Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network:
Rare Rebels is the newest show on science podcast network Gene Pool Media. Thanks to everyone who has supported the network by following us @GenePoolMedia on social. Shoutout to all the podcasts in our network, you should check them via the links below!
RealPharma
Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD
DNA Dialogues
It Happened To Me
All Access DNA
#ThroughTheGenes
Demystifying Genetics
PhenoTips Speaker Series
Parálisis Cerebral Respuestas
Humanism Today
Gods and Genes
If you have a science podcast and are interested in joining the network, go to GenePoolMedia.com and click the “Apply” tab at the top right. Or just email us directly at info@genepoolmedia.com. We’d love to chat with you about the benefits of joining the network.
Here and there we have been sharing episodes from other podcasts in the Gene Pool Media network right here on DNA Today.
Relevant Resources:
Rare Rebels Website
Rare Rebels on Spotify
Rare Rebels on Apple Podcasts
MedlinePlus’ Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler Syndrome) Page
Genetic Rare Disease Information Center: Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 Page
Gene Reviews’ Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Page
Dr. Emil Kakkis Developing Enzyme Replacement Therapy for MPS I
The Orphan Drug Act 1983 strongly influenced by The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD)
EveryLife Foundation For Rare Diseases
Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:
#171 Farber Disease with Aceragen (also a lysosomal storage disorder)
#292 TALEN® Gene Editing Technology with Cellectis (MPS type I Research)
#372 Fighting for Time: Hunter Syndrome (MPS Type II), Gene Therapy & Urgent Advocacy
#371 Growing Old Too Fast: A Mother’s Fight for Cockayne Syndrome Advocacy
#376 Why Females with Fabry Disease Aren’t “Just Carriers” (Also a lysosomal storage disorder)
#378 Why This Week’s NIH Funding Vote Matters for Rare Disease Patients
Connect With Us:
Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 380 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, just search “DNA Today.”
Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel!
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.
See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.
More
To kick off Rare Disease Month we are thrilled to share the pilot of the newest podcast in our Gene Pool Media science podcast network, Rare Rebels. The Rare Rebels™ Podcast shares raw, unscripted conversations with patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates who are changing the future of rare disease. Through these real voices, Rare Rebels builds understanding, inspires action, and drives change. The host Melody Joy Paine is a thought provoking and empathic interview. It is not surprising that she has won multiple awards for her storytelling and advocacy work. In this episode, a rare disease dad and advocate, Mark Dant, tells the story of his son, Ryan, being diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, and the scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis whose persistence changed their lives. In This Episode: Mark Dant’s personal journey as a parent advocate after his son Ryan’s diagnosis with MPS I Being told “nothing can be done” and choosing to challenge that narrative Navigating rare disease advocacy before the internet, social media, or established drug development pathways Teaching himself medical and scientific concepts without formal training Early advocacy tactics: medical dictionaries, libraries, conferences, and cold outreach Building a nonprofit organization from the ground up to support research and families The fragmented healthcare and research system rare disease families faced in the 1990s The critical role of relationships in advancing rare disease research Mark’s partnership with physician-scientist Dr. Emil Kakkis and how trust fueled progress Bridging families, clinicians, and researchers to accelerate treatment development The path to developing the first treatment for MPS I How one family’s advocacy changed outcomes for future patients Parents as drivers of innovation in rare disease Persistence, collaboration, and problem-solving in the absence of clear systems Enduring lessons for today’s rare disease community and advocates Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network: Rare Rebels is the newest show on science podcast network Gene Pool Media. Thanks to everyone who has supported the network by following us @GenePoolMedia on social. Shoutout to all the podcasts in our network, you should check them via the links below! RealPharma Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD DNA Dialogues It Happened To Me All Access DNA #ThroughTheGenes Demystifying Genetics PhenoTips Speaker Series Parálisis Cerebral Respuestas Humanism Today Gods and Genes If you have a science podcast and are interested in joining the network, go to GenePoolMedia.com and click the “Apply” tab at the top right. Or just email us directly at info@genepoolmedia.com. We’d love to chat with you about the benefits of joining the network. Here and there we have been sharing episodes from other podcasts in the Gene Pool Media network right here on DNA Today. Relevant Resources: Rare Rebels Website Rare Rebels on Spotify Rare Rebels on Apple Podcasts MedlinePlus’ Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler Syndrome) Page Genetic Rare Disease Information Center: Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 Page Gene Reviews’ Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Page Dr. Emil Kakkis Developing Enzyme Replacement Therapy for MPS I The Orphan Drug Act 1983 strongly influenced by The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD) EveryLife Foundation For Rare Diseases Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode: #171 Farber Disease with Aceragen (also a lysosomal storage disorder) #292 TALEN® Gene Editing Technology with Cellectis (MPS type I Research) #372 Fighting for Time: Hunter Syndrome (MPS Type II), Gene Therapy & Urgent Advocacy #371 Growing Old Too Fast: A Mother’s Fight for Cockayne Syndrome Advocacy #376 Why Females with Fabry Disease Aren’t “Just Carriers” (Also a lysosomal storage disorder) #378 Why This Week’s NIH Funding Vote Matters for Rare Disease Patients Connect With Us: Luckily you don’t have to wait long for a brand-new episode of DNA Today, we drop episodes every Friday! Until then, why not dive into our library of over 380 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, just search “DNA Today.” Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.