Sanger Institute. UK: yourgenome.org relaunch will bring advances in genetics to a wider audience
The revamped website includes factual guides, stories, videos, activities and debates to help people explore genomics; As genomics transforms healthcare in the UK, a revamped website to inform and inspire the curious about advances in DNA sequencing is set to launch at the Association for Science Education's Annual Conference.
With the UK Government's pledge to understand the genomes of 100,000 people and the UK launch of 23andMe, a company that will provide genotyping for just £125, genomics has been catapulted into the public consciousness. yourgenome.org, a website developed by public engagement professionals at the Wellcome Genome Campus, aims to provide accessible, entertaining and thought-provoking guides to an area of science that is revolutionising diagnosis and treatment.
"Genomics is constantly in the news but, for many, DNA and its role in our biology is still something of a mystery," says Dr Julia Willingale-Theune, Manager of Public Engagement at the Wellcome Genome Campus. "With yourgenome.org, we want to share what scientists know about the genome already and what they are trying to find out, helping everyone to understand and engage with a topic that's likely to have a huge impact on their future health."
The website provides key facts about genomics and bioinformatics with the help of videos and 3D animations. Magazine-style stories provide insight from experts into advances in research and applications in healthcare. The website also features debates that give readers a balanced view of the more controversial aspects of genomics, such as data security, animal research and gene therapy.
Content on the website is driven by an editorial board comprised of expert researchers and specialists in science education and communication from the Wellcome Genome Campus and beyond. This editorial board will ensure that the website remains up-to-date, relevant and accurate.
The Wellcome Genome Campus is home to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which made the greatest single contribution to the Human Genome Project in 2003 and has remained at the forefront of genetic research ever since. It is also home to the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), a global leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. EMBL-EBI helps scientists realise the potential of 'big data', enhancing their ability to exploit complex information to make discoveries that benefit mankind. Experts from both institutes have helped to ensure that all the information on yourgenome.org is scientifically accurate.
"During our lifetimes, the way we experience healthcare will change; in the next decade many aspects of care, from diagnosis to medication, and many lifestyle choices will depend on the information encoded in our genome," explains Jon Kudlick, Director of Membership, Marketing and Communications at the Society of Biology. "yourgenome.org is a valuable resource that will explain the latest research, providing invaluable information for teachers and students in lessons, for families affected by genetic disease, and for those who want to find out more about genomics stories they see in the media."
The original yourgenome.org website, which launched in 2001 and was updated in 2008, focussed mainly on schools and teaching resources. While still serving this core group, the Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement team hope the website will now reach out to a wider, non-specialist audience with more regularly updated and detailed content.
The redesign, which was driven by research and focus groups involving more than 4,000 users, features an easy-to-navigate interface that splits content up by topic and article type. The website answers a range of questions, from the relatively straightforward 'what is a genome?' to the more complex 'what is sickle cell anaemia?', allowing visitors to explore and develop their understanding at their own pace.