Exploring the World of Genomics and the Amazing Potential on the J. Craig Venter Institute's DiscoverGenomics! Mobile Lab at USA Science and Engineering Festival

ROCKVILLE, MD (October 22, 2010) — J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) scientists will demonstrate the applications of genomics science to new biologically-driven sources of energy and to uncover novel ways for mitigating the negative impacts of humans on our planet.  This will happen onboard the Institute's dynamic mobile laboratory bus this weekend at the first annual USA Science and Engineering Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC, October 23-24 and will have a focus for kids and their parents. JCVI's mobile laboratory will be located at Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 12th and 13th by Freedom Plaza.

The mobile lab is part of the JCVI's comprehensive DiscoverGenomics! Science Education Program that provides genomics education tools and knowledge to both kids and teachers in the DC and San Diego, CA area schools.

"The USA Science and Engineering Festival is a wonderful opportunity to engage people in the awe and wonder of science," said Lisa McDonald, head of JCVI's Education Department. "The goal of our DiscoverGenomics! Science Education Program is to encourage students to explore the potential of the natural world, to consider science as a career, and to understand how scientific concepts apply to everyday life."

The JCVI exhibit, "From Seawater to Sewage" for example gives students first-hand experience on how genomic sciences are being used to better understand the diversity of the microbial world by looking at environmental species, their microbiomes and microbial fuel cell biocatalysts.

JCVI is proud to be an Official Partner of the inaugural USA Science and Engineering Festival. The Festival, which will be the country's first national science festival, is a collaboration of over 500 of the country's  leading science and engineering organizations and aims to reignite the interest of our nation's youth in the sciences. The culmination of the Festival will be a two-day Expo on the National Mall on October 23-24, 2010, which will give children, teens and adults the opportunity to explore all facets of science and engineering through hundreds of fun, hands-on activities. For more information on all Festival events and how you can get involved, visit www.usasciencefestival.org.

J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the founder and president of the JCVI is a member of the USA Science and Engineering Festival Advisory Board.

About the J. Craig Venter Institute

The JCVI is a not-for-profit research institute in Rockville, MD and San Diego, CA dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the JCVI is home to approximately 400 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, information technology, high-throughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in science and science policy. The legacy organizations of the JCVI are: The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), The Center for the Advancement of Genomics (TCAG), the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), the Joint Technology Center (JTC), and the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation. The JCVI is a 501 (c)(3) organization. For additional information, please visit www.JCVI.org.

Media Contact

Heather Kowalski, hkowalski@jcvi.org; 301-943-8879