Canada’s national DNA Day is April 21

News | April 19, 2016 | Share on:

Canadian experts answer questions from students

DNA Day LogoThursday April 21 is DNA Day in Canada. The annual event, developed by Let’s Talk Science and Genome Alberta, helps young Canadians explore the world of genetics by connecting them with the science community.

This year, DNA Day includes two live-streamed events. The first event focuses on the topic, personalized medicine and features experts from Ontario Genomics, DNAStack, the Ontario Science Centre, SickKids and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The second event includes experts from the University of Guelph who will discuss topics related to DNA Barcoding.

Chat times for DNA Day include:

  • 10:30 am – 11:30 am ET – Live-streamed discussion on personalized medicine
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET – Live-streamed discussion on DNA Barcoding

In addition to the live-streamed events, educators and students are encouraged to submit questions on other genetics topics. Canadian experts from all across Canada will be answering these questions through recorded video answers.

DNA Day was created to raise awareness about DNA and the impact genetics has on our world. It also commemorates James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery of the double helix in April 1953, and the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003. This year marks the sixth year DNA Day has been celebrated in Canada.

If you’d like to participate in DNA Day, please submit your questions using the form at letstalkdna.ca.

DNA Day is made possible thanks to the support from Genome Canada, Genome Atlantic, Genome BC, Genome Prairie, Ontario Genomics, the University of Guelph and the Ontario Science Centre.