S&S Dinner Dialogues, with Dr. Beth Sullivan - Junk DNA, Health, and the Completion of the Human Genome
Event Details
In 2003, the human genome was announced as completed, that is, it has been sequenced, assembled, and important functional elements such as genes had been identified and annotated.
However, in reality, up to 20% of the genome remains incomplete and is excluded from the human genome assembly. We will discuss what these excluded regions are, the sequences they contain, why these regions are considered “junk DNA”, and important functional information about these regions that we lack and that has implications for human health and disease.
Video & Readings:
- Genomics Researchers Say ‘Junk’ DNA Key to Advancing Medicine – R&D Mag
- The Y Chromosome’s Still-Uncharted Regions – the Atlantic
- Variations in “Junk” DNA Leads to Trouble – Duke Today
- The Predictive Power Of The Junk In Your Genome – 88.5 WFDD
Dr. Beth Sullivan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology in the Duke School of Medicine.
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Where to meet:
Selected attendees will be notified via email several days in advance of the dinner with details regarding meeting location. All dinners will be within reasonable driving distance to Duke campus.
Science & Society will also provide a shuttle for those unable to arrange transportation to the dinner dialogue location. Shuttles will depart 30 minutes before the scheduled event from the front entrance of the North Building on West Campus. Click here for a map.