Exploring the past, present and future of genetic fingerprinting

Posted on Tuesday 26 January 2010

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, from the University of Leicester, invented DNA fingerprinting in 1984 when he realised that an X-ray he had taken of DNA samples produced patterns that could distinguish between different people.

In his lecture Genetic fingerprinting and beyond, Sir Alec will explore how DNA typing can be used to solve criminal cases and consider the implications of related developments, such as the creation of major national DNA databases.

Sir Alec’s work has attracted a wealth of awards both in the UK and overseas including the Royal Society’s Royal Medal. He received his knighthood in 1994 for services to science and technology.

This event is the first of the spring York Biology Lectures Series which is supported by the University of York Distinguished Visitors Fund and the Department of Biology.

Admission to the lecture, on Wednesday 27 January, is free and open to all. It will start at 12.15pm in room P/X001 in the Department of Physics.