|
|
What’s in Your Genes? – Inside DNA, An At-Bristol
Exhibition
‘Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution’ is a unique,
interactive display at Explore-At-Bristol that offers the public the
chance to challenge their own perceptions of current genome research and
is currently running until 5 September 2008.
‘Inside DNA’ is the first UK major touring exhibition on genomics. Funded
by The Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest charity, the exhibition is the
result of a partnership between Ecsite-uk, the UK network of science
centres and museums, and At-Bristol, a charity itself and one of the UK’s
leading science centres, with scientific support from the world renowned
Sanger Institute in Cambridge.
‘Inside DNA’ provides a combination of interactive exhibits and
programmes. Visitors can explore the role of genes and environment in
human biology and health as well as take part in the debate about our use
of genomic research. It is an accessible and neutral platform to help
people make informed choices at both personal and societal levels from
which feedback from the project will be shared directly with the Human
Genetics Commission – the UK Government’s advisory body on new
developments in human genetics and how they impact on people’s lives.
Says Goéry Delacôte, Chief Executive of At-Bristol: “Inside DNA is unique
in many respects. It breaks new ground by enabling science centres to
cater to adult audiences, the set-up of the project also demonstrates an
effective model of science centres leveraging one another’s strengths and
collaborating as a network. At-Bristol is very proud to be at the
forefront of this project, which breaks the frontier of science
communication, and be part of this genomic revolution.”
Look out for promotional ID cards and beer mats that are making their way
around Bristol. The ID cards can be found in various schools, shops and
Connexions centres and the beer mats (for the over 18s!) can be found in
pubs around the city. Both promotions have an offer to the exhibition,
2-for-1 entry with the cards, and £1.50 off entry with the mats so well
worth hunting one down! The entry fee is for all of Explore-At-Bristol so
bring the whole family or friends for a great day out.
Further information on ‘Inside DNA’ can be found by looking at:
www.at-bristol.org.uk/explore/InsideDNA.htm or
www.insidedna.org.uk,
or by calling Bookings at At-Bristol on: 0845 345 3344
For press enquiries:
Zoë Fox
0117 9157152
press@at-bristol.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
-
Inside DNA opened in Explore-At-Bristol on 29 November
2007, it will be travelling to Centre for Life in Newcastle and Glasgow
Science Museum in September 2008 and March 2009 respectively.
-
To mark the opening of the exhibition, the public is
also invited to take part in a unique forum, where nearly 300
individuals from different walks of life will join leading scientists
and ethicists from the UK in a lively debate, exchanging their views and
insights on the future of genome research. The ‘Future of Genomics’ will
explore, through discussion, issues including the future for this
fast-moving field, consequences of its development on modern life and
society and beneficiaries of this area of science.
-
Participating experts include Nobel Laureate John
Sulston as well as leading researchers, advisors and commentators from
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Human Genetics Commission, North West
Genetics Knowledge Park and the University of Oxford. The event will be
chaired by Dr. Alice Roberts, of the University of Bristol and presenter
of the BBC2 series, Don’t Die Young and Coast.
-
At-Bristol (registered charity 1049954) is a leading
science centre in the UK and a major player in the worldwide science
centre movement. It is a world-class science and discovery centre that
makes distinctive, valued and recognised contributions to informal
science learning and public engagement with science across Europe. A
registered charity, At-Bristol has hosted more than 3 million visits
to-date.
-
The science centre has an extensive track record of
managing and producing large-scale exhibitions. It is fast becoming a
hub, developing exhibitions on behalf of and in collaboration with
consortia of science centres and institutions. At-Bristol is the only UK
science centre to be part of the Science Learning Centres network.
Ecsite-uk represents the interests of more than 50
science centres, science museums and discovery centres in the UK.
Ecsite-uk was set up in 2001 to give the expanding sector a strong
national voice. They aim to raise the profile of science centres and to
establish their role as a forum for dialogue between science specialists
and the public whilst offering the centres as an informal resource for
learners of all ages.
www.ecsite-uk.net/centres/
The Wellcome Trust is the largest independent charity in the UK and the
second largest medical research charity in the world. It funds
innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending
around £500 million each year to support the brightest scientists with
the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about
biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
www.wellcome.ac.uk
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which receives the majority of its
funding from the Wellcome Trust, was founded in 1992 as the focus for UK
sequencing efforts. The Institute is responsible for the completion of
the sequence of approximately one-third of the human genome as well as
genomes of model organisms such as mouse and zebrafish, and more than 90
pathogen genomes. In October 2005, new funding was awarded by the
Wellcome Trust to enable the Institute to build on its world-class
scientific achievements and exploit the wealth of genome data now
available to answer important questions about health and disease. These
programmes are built around a Faculty of more than 30 senior
researchers. The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is based in Hinxton,
Cambridge, UK.
www.sanger.ac.uk/
|
