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£1.5 Million Science Exhibition to Explore Inside DNA
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Travelling science exhibition on human genome to
reach 1 million people over a five-year period
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Funded by Wellcome Trust and jointly developed by
At-Bristol science centre, Ecsite-uk and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
9 May 2007 - A unique travelling exhibition announced
today is set to excite around one million people in the UK about the
fast-moving science of genomics, understanding its potential and limits.
The £1.5 million five-year project entitled “Inside DNA: A Genomic
Revolution” is the first UK major touring exhibition on genomics and is a
result of a partnership between the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest
charity, Ecsite-uk: the UK Network of Science Centres and Museums, and
At-Bristol science centre.
Inside DNA will provide fascinating new ways for people to engage with
developments in genetics through exhibits and other forums exploring the
role of genomes in human biology. A programme of activities will encourage
visitors to take part in the debate on our use of genomic research and
help them to make informed choices at both personal and societal levels.
Inside DNA will be designed to attract visitors from a wide range of
backgrounds and will be readily accessible to adults and school students –
especially those of 14-19 years of age.
Funded by Wellcome Trust, the exhibition is spearheaded by Ecsite-uk, and
will be produced by At-Bristol. At-Bristol will lead the management and
development of the project with support and input from the renowned
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which will also lead the project’s
scientific advisory panel.
The advisory panel is composed of leading scientific and ethical experts,
who will ensure that materials presented are accurate and up-to-date.
Measuring 350 square metres – about the size of five badminton courts –
Inside DNA will contain contemporary materials and experiences, with
frequently updated content that is closely linked to the 14-19 curricula.
The exhibition is designed to be experiential, provoke questions and
stimulate debate. It will encourage visitors to explore issues such as the
role of our genes and environment in various aspects of our life, such as
our health, our identity, and evolution.
In addition, it will also delve into profound ethical conundrums and
questions, such as whether genetic testing might lead to potential
discrimination or who will benefit most from genetic medicines and the
role of national DNA databases.
The touring exhibition will kick-off in At-Bristol and subsequently be
hosted by science centres and museums across the UK. In addition, Inside
DNA will also include a satellite element with smaller replicable
exhibits.
There will be associated learning and engagement programmes accompanying
the exhibition and they will be regularly updated to coincide with
significant developments in human molecular genetics and genomics
throughout the five years of the project.
Clare Matterson, Director of Medicine, Society and History at the
Wellcome Trust says:
"The arrival of this touring exhibition could not have come at a more
appropriate time as scientific breakthroughs in the field of genetics are
constantly under scrutiny from an eager public, wanting to find out more
about their own health and how genes affect our susceptibility to certain
diseases. The Wellcome Trust is firmly committed to engaging the public
with science, and we are delighted that Inside DNA will reach such a wide
audience."
Goéry Delacôte, Chief Executive of At-Bristol and Executive Director of
Inside DNA’s project board, says:
“Inside DNA is unique in many respects, it breaks new ground by
allowing science centres to target the untapped market of the older
demographic. The set-up of the project also demonstrates an effective
model of science centres leveraging on each other’s strengths and
collaborating as a network. This is especially valuable in a climate where
resources are scarce in this sector. 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.”
Bronwyn Terrill, Project Manager, Communication and Public Engagement
at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute says:
“Inside DNA will provide an experience of genomics to match the
excitement of the research. An engaged public is vital if we, as a
society, are to make the best use of information generated by genomic
research.”
Linda Conlon, Chair of Ecsite-uk, says:
‘’This is much more than an exhibition. It’s about providing the right
sort of information at the right level and in an easily digestible form,
to encourage people to take part in the ongoing debate about how we use
research in this hugely controversial area. Its aim is to help people make
informed choices at both a personal and a societal level. It’s
particularly exciting that Inside DNA will reach just about all parts of
the UK on its five year tour.’’
For press enquiries:
Mavis Choong, At-Bristol
0117 915 7152 / 0796 733 4152 /
mavis.choong@at-bristol.org.uk
Mike Findlay, Wellcome Trust
0207 611 8612 /
m.Findlay@wellcome.ac.uk
Don Powell, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
0122 349 4956 / don@sanger.ac.uk
Notes to Editors:
- At-Bristol (registered charity 1049954)
is a leading science centre in the UK and a major player in the
worldwide science centre movement. It aims to be 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, the UK Network of Science Centres and
Museums, represents over 40 science centres in the UK and a similar
number of discovery centres in museums, botanic gardens, aquariums and
zoos. Ecsite-uk was set up to give the expanding sector a strong
national voice and to be the point of reference for the work of science
and discovery centres. Ecsite-uk advocates government recognition for
science and discovery centres and for science as a cultural resource. It
will raise the profile of science centres, and establish their role as a
forum for dialogue between science specialists and the public and as an
informal learning resource for learners of all ages.
- 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.
- 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.
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