World of Genomics

Recently, I attended the World of Genomics exhibit at the Saint Louis Science Center, created by the University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Institute of Genomic Biology. The exhibit had different stations that explored genomics brain and behavior, using DNA to make drugs, looking at the early emergence of life, health industry, food, and fuel. These station all had unique research and ideas about how genomics can transform the industry to create products that are more sustainable and efficient for the future. At the food and fuel station I met a post doc who was modifying plants like sugarcane and sorghum to create biofuel. These plants can not be consumed but they can create biofuel in a more efficient way the protects the planet. Also, a cool thing he was growing was some plants in an agar solution. He had made agar and put two hormones in it that help promote plant growth and a seedling and closed it off the grow. You could see the root systems and growth of this plant which was really cool. In the early emergence of life station I saw a 40 year old tube that had a sample of soil and other goodies from the earth and growth that was created over the past 40 years. It was gross but also really cool at the same time. Another cool research going on at the Genomic Center was in the healthcare industry. They engineered a small piece of equipment that separates blood into different channels for interpretation. I didn't quite grasp everything the presenter was saying but the use of technology in healthcare was a big theme. In conclusion, I really enjoyed the World of Genomics exhibit because it helped me visualize how useful genomics is in the study of all living things.