The event invited 25 children, aged 4 four to 14, to come and find out about the Institute’s innovative science with a fun and accessible approach. Starting with the ‘Ask a Scientist’ panel, the young participants spoke directly to TGAC’s scientists for an insight into their work lifestyles in their various fields. From sequencing genomes in the lab to further computational biology analysis, they found out about the current scientific research and its impact on our daily lives.
After the panel session, the children took part in the new, interactive online resource TGAC4Kids and a blueberry DNA extraction experiment. James Lipscombe, Research Assistant at TGAC, followed with his demonstration of the lab robot programme, writing the children’s initials on a titre plate by using food dye. They also visited the Institute’s Data Centre with Science Computing Leader, Paul Fretter, and found out how the power of our High-Performance Computing compared to the technology used at home.
TGAC's new Education and Public Engagement Officer, Peter Bickerton - a big-fan of the ukulele - also accompanied the children in transforming Disney tunes into biology-themed songs!
Rubina Kalra, Education & Public Engagement Manager at TGAC, said: “Many families of TGAC often feel like the Institute is a mysterious place where things happen behind closed doors. We took this brilliant opportunity to showcase our science to school-aged children, and was also an exercise for our scientists to practise communicating to the general public, starting with their own families.”
To find out more about our Education & Public Engagement programme, please see the TGAC website or contact Rubina Kalra.
TGAC is strategically funded by BBSRC and operates a National Capability to promote the application of genomics and bioinformatics to advance bioscience research and innovation.
About TGAC
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is a world-class research institute focusing on the development of genomics and computational biology. TGAC is based within the Norwich Research Park and receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) - £7.4M in 2013/14 - as well as support from other research funders. TGAC is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from BBSRC. TGAC operates a National Capability to promote the application of genomics and bioinformatics to advance bioscience research and innovation.
TGAC offers state of the art DNA sequencing facility, unique by its operation of multiple complementary technologies for data generation. The Institute is a UK hub for innovative Bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets. It hosts one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. It is also actively involved in developing novel platforms to provide access to computational tools and processing capacity for multiple academic and industrial users and promoting applications of computational Bioscience. Additionally, the Institute offers a Training programme through courses and workshops, and an Outreach programme targeting schools, teachers and the general public through dialogue and science communication activities. www.tgac.ac.uk
About BBSRC
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around £467M (2012-2013), we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes
For more information, please contact:
Hayley London
Marketing & Communications Officer, The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC).
T: +44 (0) 1603 450107,
E: [email protected]
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Science starts at home for children of TGAC
30 October 2014
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) opened its doors for its new event ‘Children of TGAC’ that gave the staff’s children the opportunity to put their own questions to the scientists.