DNA DAY 2010

This Friday, April 23rd, 2010 is the National DNA Day, in which we will commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003, and the discovery of DNA's double helix.

What is National DNA DAY?

Established by Congress seven years ago, National DNA Day commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA's double helix by Watson and Crick in 1953. Of course, National DNA Day is much more than a time to honor historical achievements. It's a day filled with opportunities for students, teachers and the public to learn how the exciting field of genome research will soon touch all of our lives.

"DNA Day is a unique opportunity for genetic and genome professionals to discuss their own careers and daily lives with students and the public," said Carla Easter, Ph.D., a science education specialist in NHGRI's Education and Community Involvement Branch, which guides NHGRI's National DNA Day outreach and partnership efforts. "It's important that our researchers are accessible so students can be inspired and perhaps consider pursuing a career in genomic science or medicine. Even if students don't choose to become researchers or health professionals, we want them to be aware of what this valuable science might mean for their own health."

What is Human Genome Project?

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with a primary goal to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up DNA and to identify and map the approximately 20,000–25,000 genes of the human genome from both a physical and functional standpoint.

The Human Genome Project originally aimed to map the nucleotides contained in a haploid reference human genome (more than three billion). Several groups have announced efforts to extend this to diploid human genomes including the International HapMap Project, Applied Biosystems, Perlegen, Illumina, JCVI, Personal Genome Project, and Roche-454.

More details:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project

2. http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/HumanGenomeProject.pdf