Happy DNA Day!
Institute doors open for public tours

DNA Day: Friday, April 25
Public tours of HudsonAlpha

9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tours begin on the hour and half hour, and end at 11:30 a.m.

11 a.m. – Biotech Basics
presented by Dr. Neil Lamb, educational outreach director

11:30 a.m. – HudsonAlpha: The Vision and Research
presented by Dr. Rick Myers, HudsonAlpha director

In 1953, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick first described the double-helical structure of DNA and made a model that incorporated all of its known features. Fifty years later, in 2003, another landmark event for genetics and genomics occurred: The completion of the Human Genome Project under the leadership of Dr. Francis Collins.

In 2003, the United States Congress passed a resolution setting aside April 25 as National DNA Day. On this day, a series of events unfolded across the country, all having to do with the discovery of DNA and its impacts on science and society. DNA Day continues to be celebrated as an annual event and HudsonAlpha has warmly embraced its spirit and tradition.

“At HudsonAlpha, DNA Day offers a firsthand look inside the institute, with tours to the public available between 9 and 11:30 a.m.,” noted Dr. Neil Lamb, the institute’s director of educational outreach. “Guided tours will help the community better understand HudsonAlpha’s research goals, learn about associated companies and explore the DNA molecule that provides the recipe for life on our planet. It’s a chance for students, teachers, parents and neighbors to engage in hands-on biotech activities and set that experience into a context of discovery and application,” he added.

Lamb sees DNA Day as the perfect, annual “come and see” event at HudsonAlpha – a chance to tell the institute story and place it within a broader biotechnology context. The day also serves to highlight student and teacher accomplishments in genetics. “HudsonAlpha is the national sponsor of an essay contest open to middle school students,” said Lamb. “Essay winners are announced on DNA Day. Winning students receive cash awards and the student’s teacher receives a grant to purchase biotechnology-related equipment and supplies for the classroom.”

For more information, contact Holly Ralston McClain at or 256.508.8954