Science exhibit promises shopping trip with a difference
Posted on 14 February 2006
But visitors to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, York, will have the chance to do precisely that next week.
Thanks to a special exhibit, designed by the University of York's Department of Chemistry and funded by the Wellcome Trust, shoppers will be able to design and display their own fragment of "designer DNA".
The Molecules for Life exhibit, developed by Dr Annie Hodgson, Dr Nigel Lowe and John Busby in the Department of Chemistry, will be on show at McArthurGlen, York, in half-term week, 18-26 February 2006.
It's great to bring things like this into the public arena so that people can get a taste of what we do
Dr Annie Hodgson
Dr Hodgson, who is the Department's Outreach Officer, said: "It's great to bring things like this into the public arena so that people can get a taste of what we do. We encourage anyone passing that way to have a go and tell us what they think!"
David Aunins, retail operations manager at McArthurGlen, York, added: "This is the first time the exhibition has been displayed in England and we're delighted to be able to support it.
"It will be a great day out for families over the half term week as children can get involved with the activities."
The main part of the display demonstrates how fragments of DNA are assembled to form the genetic code, which enables the body to string amino acids together in the correct order to build protein molecules.
Everyone taking part will receive a personalised certificate displaying the DNA and amino acids they assembled. Part of the certificate slots into the exhibit's striking "gene wall" building up a record of the DNA compiled by visitors through the week.
Notes to editors:
- Photocall: 12.30pm 20 February 2006. South Mall, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Avenue, York. A representative of the Wellcome Trust will try out the exhibit with Dr Nigel Lowe and John Busby.
- The Department of Chemistry at the University of York has an excellent reputation for teaching and research. In the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise the department was awarded a 5 rating. It is led by Royal Society of Chemistry prize-winners in all three branches of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. It has 46 members of academic staff, more than 380 undergraduate students, 150 graduates and 90 research fellows.
- Molecules for Life made its first public appearance at the 2005 BA Festival of Science in Dublin.
- For more information on McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, York, please call 01904 682705 or visit www.mcarthurglen.com