Photo by Chris Meyer
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More than 20 IU faculty and staff collaborated in creating "Genes and Your Health." The exhibit offers an introduction to the genetic-related diseases being researched by IU scientists. This Genome-related exhibit is in the “Innovations” area in the Indiana State Museum’s Tomorrow’s Indiana gallery, through May 26.
Middle- and high-school-aged kids will learn more about genetics at workshops held at the museum. Hosted by scientists from IU, its School of Medicine, Methodist Research Institute and Hooks Discovery and Learning Center, the educational programs will cover topics such as genetics, forensic life science, DNA and the human body.
Research featured in ‘Genes and Your Health‘ include:
• Alcoholism: IU School of Medicine scientists
have identified a gene (GABRA2) that is strongly linked to an
individual’s risk of developing alcoholism.
• Cancer: Genome data is helping researchers at IU, Ohio State University and the University of Missouri better understand the damage caused by breast and ovarian cancers.
• Bipolar Disorder: Dr. John Nurnberger, director of the Institute of Psychiatric Research at IU, leads a team of researchers to detect and localize the genes that increase or decrease chances of developing bipolar disorder.
• Parkinson’s: The Organized Genetic Initiative (PROGENI) researchers
determined that a gene known as the parkin gene may indicate a
risk factor for developing Parkinson’s disease in older adults
when one of the two gene pairs is abnormal.
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