The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Presents Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code

San Diego, CA—September 19, 2014—The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will host the West Coast premiere of Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code, a new exhibition that highlights developments in the field of genomic research, making the science accessible and helping visitors understand why genomic research is important in our world.

The Fleet invites members of the media to preview the exhibition starting Thursday, September 25. Tours and media previews are being arranged by appointment. Fleet Executive Director Steve Snyder and Fleet Exhibits Director Paul Siboroski are available for exhibition tours, interviews or on-air appearances in conjunction with the exhibition. 

Genome: Unlocking Life's Code begins to unravel the mystery behind the complete set of instructions needed for every living thing on Earth to grow and function. The exhibition immerses visitors in a high-tech environment that captures the revolutionary nature of genomic science.

·         Discover the fascinating diversity of living things, how their genomes differ—and their surprising similarities.
·         Learn how genomics has added to archaeological and fossil evidence, increasing knowledge of human origins and helping to answer questions about recent ancestry.
·         Investigate how genomics may point to ways to stop deadly epidemics in their tracks.
·         See yourself in a new way: as an individual, as a member of a family and as part of the diversity of life on Earth.

The Fleet chose to host this exhibition because San Diego has long been a center of genomic research. The city boasts research institutions, such as the Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Scripps Research Institute and University of California San Diego. San Diego is also home to companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Illumina that are working on technology to advance genomic research. Many important individuals in the field have also called San Diego home, including Francis Crick, Jonas Salk, J. Craig Venter and many more.

“San Diego is an incredible hub of science and technology,” said Dr. Steve Snyder, executive director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. “We want to connect San Diegans with the groundbreaking science that’s happening right here in our city. Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code will help visitors understand more about themselves and about the impact local research and development has on their lives.”

Genome: Unlocking Life's Code opens to the public on Sunday, September 28, 2014. The exhibition was developed and produced by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Institutes for Health's National Human Genome Research Institute in association with Science North. This exhibit was made possible in part by financial support secured by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, as well as financial support from Life Technologies and other sponsors. It is locally presented by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

To schedule a tour, preview or media appearance, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

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FOR MEDIA ONLY/NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code makes its public West Coast premiere at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Sunday, September 28, 2014. The exhibition is available for pre-arranged media interviews and demonstrations starting Thursday, September 25, with an invitation-only VIP/Media event scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2014.

Links to Additional Press info

Preferred referral link: www.rhfleet.org/exhibitions/genome-unlocking-lifes-code

Photos, B-roll and other related media: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n4u7rj5pwew8u6s/AACtr_Ah_1XoHbLS0NTPWUv-a?dl=0

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: www.rhfleet.org

Exhibition website: www.unlockinglifescode.org

Exhibition info from the NHGRI: www.genome.gov/27554010