'Outlaw biology' event at UCLA looks at cutting-edge science in the hands of the public

January 26, 2010

WHAT:
At-home medical genetics, open-source science, bio-art, do-it-yourself DNA kits — the life sciences are open to the public as never before, and citizen scientists, from gentleman researchers to high school students and hackers, are tinkering with life as they find it.   
 
"Outlaw Biology? Public Participation in the Age of Big Bio," a two-day symposium at UCLA funded and organized by the UCLA Center for Society and Genetics, will explore the study and practice of biological science outside of universities and pharmaceutical companies, raising questions and cultivating ideas about how, and by whom, life can and should be studied. The event is free and open to the public.
 
The symposium's first day will feature panel discussions addressing affordable and easy-to-use biological and engineering technologies, as well as the ethical dimensions of public participation in biological research. Day two features discussions and demonstrations, including hands-on lessons on how to extract DNA from strawberries, build a powerful microscope for under $10 and use software tools for open-source bioengineering. For more information, visit http://outlawbiology.net/.
 
WHO:
Panelists and workshop leaders will include:
 
Gaymon Bennet
SynBERC and Ars-Synthetica.net, Berkeley, Calif.
 
Jason Bobe
DIYBio.org and the Personal Genome Project, Cambridge, Mass.
 
Roger Brent
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
 
Phil Lukeman
Department of chemistry, Cal Poly Pomona
 
Hugh Rienhoff
MyDaughtersDNA.org, Berkeley, Calif. Rienhoff is sequencing his daughter's DNA to help find a cure for her rare disease. 
 
Meredith Patterson
Chief technology officer, Osogato Inc., Belgium
 
Victoria Vesna
Professor, UCLA Art|Sci Center, UCLA Design|Media Arts
 
Christopher Kelty (panel moderator)
Associate professor, UCLA Center for Society and Genetics
 
 
WHEN:
Friday–Saturday, Jan. 29–30

• Jan. 29: 4–8 p.m. (panels)
• Jan. 30: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (workshops and exhibition)

WHERE:
California NanoSystems Institute, on the UCLA campus (map) 
 
INFORMATION: 
The UCLA Center for Society and Genetics is unique nationwide in the variety of disciplines it brings to bear on genetic research and medicine. Additional support for this event comes from UCLA's Art|Sci Center and the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA.
 
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Claudia Luther, UCLA Media Relations and Public Outreach, 310-206-8258
During the event, contact Don Ponturo, 818-694-8565, dponturo@mednet.ucla.edu.
 
PARKING:
Campus parking is available for $10. Journalists should call media contact to arrange courtesy parking before noon on Friday, Jan. 29.

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