Yourgenome website from Wellcome Genome Campus to unravel mysteries of DNA

YourGenome7505316702325174213jpg

A WEBSITE has been relaunched in a bid to take genetics to a wider audience and unravel the mysteries of DNA.

Relaunched last week to coincide with Association for Science Education's Annual Conference, yourgenome.org has been developed by public engagement professionals at the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton.

The site aims to provide accessible, entertaining and thought-provoking guides to an area of science that is revolutionising diagnosis and treatment.

Genomics has been catapulted into the public conciousness in recent months, with the Government having pledged to understand the genomes of 100,000 people. In December, website 23andMe launched a UK version, enabling people in this country to to have their DNA screened for genes associated heridetary conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anaemia. Regular readers of Ideas will also know that Cambridge is home to a number of firms specialising in genomics, such as start-up GeneAdviser which is aiming to provide accurate testing for patients with rare genetic diseases.

"Genomics is constantly in the news but, for many, DNA and its role in our biology is still something of a mystery," says Dr Julia Willingale-Theune, manager of public engagement at the Wellcome Genome Campus. "With yourgenome.org, we want to share what scientists know about the genome already and what they are trying to find out, helping everyone to understand and engage with a topic that's likely to have a huge impact on their future health."

The website provides key facts about genomics and bioinformatics with the help of videos and 3D animations. It also features posts by experts looking at advances in research and applications in healthcare. There are also debates that give readers a balanced view of the more controversial aspects of genomics, such as data security, animal research and gene therapy.

Content on the website is driven by an editorial board comprised of expert researchers and specialists in science education and communication from the Wellcome Genome Campus and beyond. This editorial board will ensure that the website remains up-to-date, relevant and accurate.

The Wellcome Genome Campus is home to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which made the greatest single contribution to the Human Genome Project in 2003 and has remained at the forefront of genetic research ever since. It is also home to the European Bioinformatics Institute, which goes by the catchy acronym of EMBL-EBI. This is a global leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets, and helps scientists realise the potential of 'big data', enhancing their ability to exploit complex information to make discoveries that benefit mankind. Experts from both institutes have contributed to the site.

"During our lifetimes, the way we experience healthcare will change; in the next decade many aspects of care, from diagnosis to medication, and many lifestyle choices will depend on the information encoded in our genome," said Jon Kudlick, director of membership, marketing and communications at the Society of Biology.

Follow this link:
Yourgenome website from Wellcome Genome Campus to unravel mysteries of DNA