The University of Lethbridge’s Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) has nine research groups and more than 100 trainees conducting research into ribonucleic acid (RNA), one of the three major biological molecules required for life. RNA is a close relative of the more commonly known molecule, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). RNA, DNA and protein form the building blocks of life. RNA plays a key role in regulating processes in cells and researchers are working on RNA’s roles in cancer, antibiotics, viral infections and agriculture.
What: ARRTI is celebrating RNA Day with a full schedule of science outreach. Media are invited to attend any or all of the day’s activities.
When: Thursday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 10 a.m. — ARRTI undergraduate researchers’ presentation
- 11 a.m. — ARRTI annual general meeting highlighting members’ accomplishments over the past year
- 1 p.m. — ARRTI researchers discuss why they chose careers in science and the problems they want to solve
- 2 p.m. — Undergraduate research presentations
- 3:30 p.m. — Collegiate and high school iGEM team presentations
- 2:45 to 3:30 and 4:30 to 5 p.m. — Fun activities, including colouring pages, word searches and extracting DNA from saliva
Where: Markin Hall Atrium
Who: ARRTI faculty and student researchers
Why: RNA Day gives researchers the opportunity to show the public what RNA is and how scientists are using RNA research to make people’s lives better.
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Contact
Emily Wilton, research associate for Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden
emily.wilton@uleth.ca
