Events

21 September 2009
MaRS Centre, Toronto

24 September 2009
Brock University, St. Catharines

Presenting partners: Brock University, Bioscience Education Canada, Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network.  Sponsored in Toronto by: MaRS Discovery District, The Biotechnology Initiative (TBI).

To mark National Biotechnology Week (NBW) 2009, OGI and its partners organized two events titled Adventures in Genomics and Biotechnology, which together engaged more than 500 students and their teachers.  The events, held in Toronto and St. Catharines, brought together leading genomics and life sciences experts and featured hands-on exercises, all designed to inform students about genomics and the many career paths and options available in biotechnology.
 

In Toronto, speakers included: Dr. Robert Hanner, University of Guelph, speaking about his work with DNA barcoding and its applications; Dr. Barry Saville, Trent University, who talked about agricultural forensic genomics; and Dr. Hendrik Poinar, McMaster University, who spoke about extracting DNA from fossils and how this could be used to clone extinct animals.

Speakers in St. Catharines included: Dr. Vincenzo De Luca, Brock University, speaking about the agricultural applications of synthetic biology; Duane Chung, Centurion Biofuels, talking about biofuels and biotech; and Dr. Emma Master, University of Toronto, discussing genomics and bioremediation. 
     
“The whole day was incredibly insightful and informative about the study and diverse applications of genomics and the various careers available in that area,” commented Mr. Gaspero Diadamo, Biology Teacher at Blessed Trinity Secondary School in Grimsby, who attended the St. Catharines event.  “The speakers caught the imagination of my students and opened up much discussion about discoveries, opportunities and careers in genomics and biotechnology.  The event really explored the opportunities studying life sciences and biotechnology offers and there was a definite buzz in the air amongst my students following the day.”
 
Both events also featured panel discussions on alternative careers relating to genomics and biotechnology, providing students with the opportunity to question a range of panelists whose careers span teaching, computer game creation and programming, science writing and blogging, and human health research.  Practical exercises, such as a DNA isolation exercise, allowed students to do some firsthand science, while facilitated table discussions - sparked by a clip from the Canadian TV science drama ReGenesis – gave students a chance to explore the impact of new developments in genomics.
 
Here are a few examples of what attendees had to say:

• “I was amazed to hear how science is linked in some way or another to almost every career.”
• “I loved the table discussion around nature vs. nurture after watching a clip from ReGenesis.  It really got me thinking about the way genes affect us in more ways than just our health.”
• “I will take away plenty from this event like meeting professors from Universities and hearing about the kinds of jobs people do that are linked to biotechnology.  I also know how to extract DNA now as well!”
• “This event has opened my eyes to new possibilities for my future.”