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What goes on in a science lab? Find out at the MRC Genome Damage and Stability Centre's open day

Sussex scientists are inviting the public to join them in the lab for a rare glimpse of inspiring genetic research into diseases such as cancer and hereditary conditions.

Guided tours of the MRC Genome Damage and Stability Centre will form part of a special open day at the University on Friday 21 June to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Medical Research Council (MRC).

The MRC, a publicly-funded organisation founded in 1913 and dedicated to improving human health, is the primary funder of research carried out at the Genome Centre. To mark its centenary, the MRC is holding an Open Week (June 20-26) involving events at more than 40 MRC-funded facilities across the UK.

Visitors to the open day at Sussex in the Fulton building will be able to watch a unique piece of installation art being created, listen to talks, view science displays and an art exhibition and take part in hands-on activities.

The exhibition – on the theme of ‘Repair of DNA damage, what we know and how we know it’ –  will introduce people to DNA, why it mutates, what this does to our cells, the diseases this can cause and the research being undertaken to see how these diseases can be tackled.

During the day local artists Stella Harding, Shirley Chubb and Chris Drury will be presenting work inspired by science and the natural world. Shirley Chubb’s ‘The Thinking Path’ depicts important places in the life of Charles Darwin, Chris Drury’s Life in the Field of Death, comprises works of art inspired by the Nevada nuclear test site and Stella Harding will be creating, with the help of the public, an installation made of hundreds of rubber gloves and other recyclable materials used by scientists in the lab.

Science teachers from schools in Brighton and Hove will be visiting to find out more about genetic science and how they can teach it in the classroom.

In the evening, there will be lectures given by molecular geneticist Professor Alan Lehmann (Chairman of the Genome Centre) on ‘Patching up our genes protects us from cancer’ and Dr Tim Chevassut, Senior Lecturer in Haematology, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, who will talk about the role of cancer research in the clinic.

Staff, students and the public are invited to attend all or any part of the day.

Professor Antony Carr, who is Director of the Genome Centre says: “The open day will provide a unique opportunity for interested members of the public to find out more about DNA damage and repair, and its importance in keeping us healthy.”