Hyderabad: The CSIR-CCMB in collaboration with NCSM-Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technology Museum (VITM), Bangalore, organised a mobile science exhibition ‘Gene-health connect’ as part of CSIR-Jigyasa project in the IICT campus here on Monday.
Meant for school and college students, the attempt was to create awareness about genes and their role in the human body on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day.
After virtually inaugurating the exhibition, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director-General of CSIR, stressed the need for educating school children about genes.
Dr Vinay K. Nandicoori, Director, CCMB, speaking to Deccan Chronicle said, “Tests such as exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing can also be helpful in identifying problems related to genes. Regular tests cannot detect them as precisely. Sequencing can shape treatments of the future.”
Appreciating the initiative, Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said, “It is almost mandatory to create awareness about genetic disorders and treatment. Gene health is very important and now scientists and academicians have started talking about it. Sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia are hereditary diseases and are more prevalent in India. Such awareness programmes will help youngsters learn about genetic diseases”.
A van with 20 exhibits in the form of audio visual medium will be made accessible to various high schools and medical, pharmacy and science colleges in the city besides covering major cities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the next seven months.
