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National DNA Day celebrates science, opportunities at University of Iowa
Apr. 25, 2017 6:01 pm
IOWA CITY - University of Iowa students and faculty gathered in Iowa City on Tuesday to celebrate 'National DNA Day,” commemorating completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA's double helix in 1953.
A lineup of events at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., included a presentation on genetic ancestry testing from Charles 'Chip” Aquadro, a molecular biology and genetics professor at Cornell University, and a 'festival of genetics” involving UI student demonstrations and genetics interpretations.
A panel of UI faculty and students met in the evening to discuss 'personalized genetics education through DNA test results.” Deoxyribonucleic acid - or DNA - discoveries in recent decades have changed the nature of science, said Bryant McAllister, UI associate biology professor.
The advances mean new opportunities in ancestry discovery and personalized medicine - enabling doctors to tailor medication or even cancer treatment to individual needs. McAllister said he anticipates DNA advances to continue at a rapid clip, further enabling humans to make educated decisions about their health care, among other advances.
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Eric Tvedte, University of Iowa biology graduate student, points to a chart on the mtDNA tree and haplogroups of the world as he talks with someone during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Cookies during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Kyle McElroy (right), University of Iowa biology graduate student, talks with Sharon and Attanasio Romeo, both of Des Moines, about 23andMe and Ancestry.com during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Eric Tvedte, University of Iowa biology graduate student, points to a chart on the mtDNA tree and haplogroups of the world as he talks with someone during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Bryant McAllister, Associate Professor of Biology, talks with someone during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Pins are stuck on a chart of different haplogroups during an event for National DNA Day at the Iowa City Public Library in Iowa City on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
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