Norwich, United Kingdom
November 25, 2015
On 3 November, The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) opened its doors to over a hundred stakeholders including the general public to discover the research Institute’s ground breaking science that is happening every day.
On 3 November, The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) opened its doors to over a hundred stakeholders including the general public to discover the research Institute’s ground breaking science that is happening every day.
Visitors were able to find out about TGAC’s cutting-edge research and technologies in genomics and bioinformatics, which decodes complex biological systems to understand plant, animal and human health.
With three interactive Zones, visitors could learn all about what TGAC had to offer. In Zone 1, Interim Director Prof Dylan Edwards presented the Institute’s new science strategy and growing faculty expertise. Followed by research Group Leaders providing insight into TGAC’s three scientific programmes: Organisms & Ecosystems, Digital Biology and Engineering Biology.
Zone 1 also featured the Faculty booths, where research groups were able to explain their projects by making the science accessible to all levels. Ranging from, jumping aphids; ferret, rabbit and koala studies; pink pigeons, to the complexity of wheat; data infrastructures; and the benefits of broccoli to prevention of disease.
Along with the faculty booths, the lab tours in Zone 2 proved to be the most popular activities. Led by the Platforms & Pipelines Group, the tours gave visitors the chance to gain access to TGAC’s advanced suite of next-generation sequencing technologies, where scientists sequence genomes of all types of plant, animal and microbe organisms. Coupled with TGAC’s Scientific Computing Group giving tours of the high-performance computing Data Centre, where vast multitudes of genetic data are processed and stored for analysis.
Zone 3, presented the Institute’s 361° Division - Training, Education & Learning. Here, the visitors were able to experience TGAC’s new training suite, and public engagement activities such as DNA extraction and plant evolution to demonstrate how science impacts our daily lives.
Prof Edwards, said: “The Open Day was a great opportunity to show off the world-class facilities we have here at TGAC and the ground-breaking work being done right here on the Norwich Research Park”
Feedback from the day, included:
(What did you enjoy most and why?)
“All of it! The “talks” were based at the right level for me (a lay person!).”
“The lab tour was excellent as it showed how far equipment has developed.”
“The amazing collaboration between research data and connected research groups.”
“Zone 3, the 361 Division, great to see a keen interest in developing young adult interest into a very relevant topic.
“Your staff explained things at a lay person’s level and were thorough in their explanations.”
“All of it - informative, just the right level, everyone was so willing and eager to explain their work and then enthusiasm was infectious.”
“I enjoyed my discussions with your scientists – gave me an insight to some of my own observations at home e.g., rust in garlic I grow.”
(Did we communicate our science well?)
“Very informative – it has given me the incentive to find out more.”
“Learnt about TGAC and the importance of the continued developing applications of research within Genomics.”
(Other)
“A great event”
“You have an incredible centre which is an asset to science outreach!”
“The talk were very interesting and the staff provided an in-depth explanation.”
“Fantastic research. Great to meet the people doing it and seeing it in action.”
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.
TGAC is a research institute focused on enabling biology in living systems by applying computational science and biotechnology to answer ambitious biological questions and generate resources for the scientific community.
The Institute has access to state-of-the-art, diverse genomics and computational technologies, which allow the scientists to tailor their approach to each specific biological question, coupled with a unique provision to produce and analyse data at a large-scale efficiently. Facilitated by hosting one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe.
TGAC is a Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics Training and Best Practice in e-Science, alongside communicating and enthusing the next generation of scientists and public about the Institute's bioscience research and its valuable contribution to society.
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