Information on Loughborough

Chance for Leicestershire youngsters to get to grips with DNA

Posted on 02/03/09
University of Leicester

The University of Leicesters world class Department of Genetics will be holding three hands-on sessions on DNA technology for young people as part of the Universitys celebrations for National Science and Engineering Week.

On Monday March 9th (9.30am-1.30pm) sixth form students can live out a dream and become Forensic Scientists for a morning, amplifying and analysing DNA samples taken from a crime scene using pioneering technology and laboratory equipment.

Theyve seen it on television and theyve read about it in the press, but will they be able to solve the crime using the DNA fingerprints?

On Thursday 12th March (10.00am-2.00pm) eleven- and twelve-year-olds can try their hands at preparing DNA and seeing how scientists can use the information it holds. In a day packed with fun activities, they can also find out what enzymes do in our bodies - and what they can do in the laboratory.

Dr Cas Kramer, who is organising these events commented: "We always try to enthuse students about science, whatever their age. Youngsters are amazed to see they can extract DNA from a banana, while sixth formers are thrilled to be able to use high-tech equipment in a real laboratory.

Further information on these two events is available from Dr Cas Kramer, email ck53@le.ac.uk.

Also on Thursday March 12 (5.00-6.30pm), Caf Biotechnique offers sixth formers an opportunity to discuss topical breakthroughs in biomedical science with international scientists, in a session led by Leicester geneticist, Professor Mark Jobling. The issue under discussion is: "Personal DNA testing: curse, con or harmless fun? Pizza and refreshments will be available and the session will be informal.

Further information on this event is available from Annette Cashmore, Director of the Universitys GENIE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Genetics and Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, email genie@le.ac.uk.

Professor Cashmore commented: "These events give exciting opportunities to really raise awareness of science to a cross section of the public. They also raise the awareness of academics of the need to showcase their work to the public !

All three events are run by GENIE, with the Department of Chemistry (March 12th).

GENIE (Genetics Education Networking for Innovation and Excellence) is a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). In March 2005 the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) agreed to fund 74 CETLs across all English regions as part of a 315 million programme to promote excellence in teaching and learning covering a wide range of subjects and aspects of higher education.

The University of Leicester is the lead institution for two CETLs, including GENIE, and is a partner in a third.

GENIE is based within the Department of Genetics, which is internationally recognised for its pioneering, revolutionary research and dynamic teaching by academics at the cutting edge of their discipline. The GENIE project creates a learning experience that is both innovative and intellectually exciting.

Latest News

Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

Latest News

University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

Latest News

10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

The Carbon Benefits Project

Latest News

Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project

Keeping up with the Joneses in the 18th century

Latest News

Study day for the University of Leicester's Centre for the Study of the Country House on 24 November... 20 Nov 2009 Keeping up with the Joneses in the 18th century

Labour rights: constitutional promises vs global realities

Latest News

Human Rights lecture taking place at the University of Leicester on 24 November. Free and open to the public... 20 Nov 2009 Labour rights: constitutional promises vs global realities

Related News

Learning how to find life on Mars

News

University of Leicester to give young learners a hands-on experience of the science of exploring another planet and the search for evidence of life... 09 Mar 2009 Learning how to find life on Mars

Science in the Community

News

As part of National Science and Engineering Week, the University of Leicester is involved in a community event to promote science.... 10 Mar 2009 Science in the Community

Cancer Awareness Evening at University of Leicester

News

GENIE (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) and Hope Against Cancer event on Wednesday 11th March, 6-9pm.... 02 Mar 2009 Cancer Awareness Evening at University of Leicester

Sex talk revelations of the lonely Y chromosome

News

New study at University of Leicester proves that communication between male and female occurs in our innermost beings ... 10 Sep 2009 Sex talk revelations of the lonely Y chromosome

Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008

Loughborough University,Loughborough

Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008 Loughborough University has organised another packed programme of events for this year s National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW). Taking place from the 8 to the 14 March, the week aims to celebrate science and engineering and their importance to our lives, giving people the chance to participate in science and engineering activities and experiments, and to engage in related discussions in their local area.... 26 Dec 2008 Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008

Relevant News

Businesses in Loughborough benefit from forensic property marking

police officer

Charity shops and businesses in Loughborough are being given free forensic property marking kits to mark valuable shop property making it less attractive to thieves. The shops are being given SelectDNA which comes in a pot of adhesive glue and can be applied to any valuable items of property such as computers, shop tills, lap tops and telephones. ... 07 Mar 2008 Businesses in Loughborough benefit from forensic property marking

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

police

A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

Forensic Career Open Day - Saturday October 4

police

Interested in a career in forensic science? If so, why not come along to a Forensic Career Open day.... 30 Sep 2008 Forensic Career Open Day - Saturday October 4

Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008

Loughborough University,Loughborough

Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008 Loughborough University has organised another packed programme of events for this year s National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW). Taking place from the 8 to the 14 March, the week aims to celebrate science and engineering and their importance to our lives, giving people the chance to participate in science and engineering activities and experiments, and to engage in related discussions in their local area.... 26 Dec 2008 Packed programme of events for National Science and Engineering Week 2008

Snibston recognised as a centre for regional learning

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services 2 December 2008 Snibston recognised as a centre for regional learning Leicestershire County Council s Snibston Discovery Museum has now been officially recognised as a Satellite Centre for the Science Learning Centre East Midlands. Science Learning Centres are part of a national programme to provide high quality professional development and training for primary and secondary science teachers.... 31 Dec 2008 Snibston recognised as a centre for regional learning

Most Read News (today)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

police officer

14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

The Carbon Benefits Project

Latest News

Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Most Read News (this month)

Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Loughborough Fair

News

The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair

Police searching for missing man have found a body

police,constabulary,leicestershire police

Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body

Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

News

Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

News

Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

Most Read News (alltime)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

police officer

14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire

social care

Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire