New workshop at the Eureka! National Children’s Museum to help people understand the DNA they have, what their genomic profile is, and how that differs from other people.
The Yorkshire and Humber NHS Genomic Medicine Centre has launched a brand new workshop at the Eureka! National Children’s Museum to help people understand the DNA they have, what their genomic profile is, and how that differs from other people.
Launched on Friday 11 May, the interactive ‘A Journey into DNA & Genomics’ workshop is being delivered by Eureka’s expert Enablers, with children able to explore the background science around genomics, fascinating facts about DNA and its incredible structure, how traits are passed down through generations and how genomes make us all completely unique through a series of interactive, hands-on activities.
The workshops have been developed as part of a wider education programme which has been raising awareness with healthcare professionals and the public about genomics and the 100,000 Genomes Project in the Yorkshire and Humber.
Yorkshire and Humber NHS Genomic Medicine Education Manager, Julie Atkey, said: “This is an exciting time to be in healthcare. This project is a major national initiative that aims to sequence 100,000 whole genomes by the end of 2018. This will improve our understanding of cancer and rare diseases, and ultimately help provide diagnoses and new treatments for patients. It is also paving the way to the world’s first national genomic medicine service.”
Yorkshire and Humber NHS Genomic Medicine Education Manager Co-Clinical Director Dr Malee Fernando, said: “Helping families understand the DNA they have, what their genomic profile is, and how that differs from other people is important because this will affect the kind of personalised healthcare they may get – this is what the future is about. So, what better way than a fun way to start educating children?”
Dr Tom Fowler, Deputy Chief Scientist at Genomics England who attended the launch, said: “Having grown up in Calderdale, it was great to see Eureka! inspiring school children with their interactive activities. This partnership with Yorkshire and Humber GMC is helping to bring DNA and genomics to life, enabling the next generation to learn how a single person’s genome can unlock information about health and disease that will help millions of other people around the world.”
Eureka!’s STEM & Public Engagement Manager, Chris Snowden added: “Genomics offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of medicine, so we’re really excited to have partnered with the Yorkshire and Humber Genomic Medicine Centre to showcase genomics and the 100,000 Genomes Project to our visitors at Eureka!, helping them understand more about what it is, how it is being used right now, and looking at some really mind-blowing ways in which it might be used in the future.”
The Yorkshire and Humber NHS Genomic Medicine Centre is one of 13 centres across England delivering the ‘100,000 Genomes Project’ through the recruitment of NHS patients with certain cancers, as well as those with eligible rare diseases and their families. This recruitment takes place at eleven acute NHS Trusts throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Genomics England was set up in July 2013 to deliver the 100,000 Genomes Project and is wholly owned by the Department of Health.