Bermuda College Science Week From Jan 29-31
Bermuda College’s Science Week 2019 is set to be held from January 29 – 31 with their Public Forum Science Lecture on Wednesday, January 30.
Bermudian biochemist, Dr. Carika Weldon is the Corange Science Week guest speaker. Her topic: “Knowing your Genetic Code; How DNA Sequencing is Becoming More Personal”, will explore the new technological advances in DNA sequencing, and how people can now understand their genetic code, how it differs from others, and how to better make informed decisions about their health and health care.
DNA sequencing determines the order of the four chemical building blocks – called “bases” – that make up the DNA molecule. The sequence tells scientists the kind of genetic information that is carried in a particular DNA segment.
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, technological improvements and automation have increased speed and lowered costs to the point where individual genes can be sequenced routinely, and some labs can sequence well over 100,000 billion bases per year, and an entire genome, for just a few thousand dollars.
This tool, says Dr. Weldon, can help determine what medication to take or not take; and understand the underlying cause of diseases such as cancer and diabetes and more.
“With many countries considering undertaking population genetic studies to use in conjunction with healthcare data, ultimately we are entering an era where your genetic code will provide better healthcare and treatment,” says. Dr. Weldon.
The public forum will take place on Wednesday, January 30 at 6 p.m. in the North Hall Lecture Theatre. Admission is free and open to the public.
Science Week comprises a series of activities promoting the science disciplines to the community. Over 300 of the Island’s school students in the middle and senior school levels will be hosted at Bermuda College on Tuesday, January 29 with scientific experiments and demonstrations of the pure and applied sciences.
A Nursing information session in partnership with Lahey Medical Centre will explore the clinical experience for nursing students and other health professionals; and the popular Live Love Eat live cooking demonstration with Chef Teneika Eve will highlight culinary arts as an applied science on Thursday, January 31 at 6 p.m. in the Student Hall.
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