Golden anniversary of DNA discovery

IU alumnus’ accomplishment 50 years ago is leading to the sequencing of the human genome

In addition, the month will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of another momentous achievement in biology: Indiana University alumnus James Watson’s and Francis Crick’s Nobel Prize-winning description of the DNA double helix (see Friday Flashback, page A12). National DNA Day will be observed April 25, featuring an online videocast of Watson and Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

To mark these achievements in the history of science and medicine, the institute, along with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy are planning a series of scientific, educational, cultural and celebratory events across the United States.

Publication also is planned of a report which will describe the future of the field of genomics and the role the NHGRI, parts of the NIH and other government agencies will play in enabling that future.

For more information on April’s Celebration of the Genome, send an E-mail to Apr2003@mail.nih.gov.

http://www.genome.gov/