Happy DNA Day, dear comrades!
International DNA Day
On April 25, an unusual holiday is celebrated in different countries of the world – the International DNA Day.
This date was chosen in memory of the fact that on April 25, 1953, in the journal Nature, James Watson and Francis Crick, together with Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin, published the results of a study of the structure of the DNA molecule.
Exactly 50 years later, on April 25, 2003, it was announced that the human genome decoding project was nearing completion. Additional analysis of some parts of the genome is still incomplete, but the main work on the project has been completed. Determining the structure of human genes is an important step for the development of healthcare.
DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid. It is in DNA that our genetic information is stored, and it is this test that is one of the most popular for establishing family ties. The discovery of the DNA helix was revolutionary for science. Thanks to the discovery of DNA, the code of heredity was revealed, the genetic risk was identified, the formation of programmed properties of the organism was started, the improvement of heredity is carried out, genetic engineering technologies are being created.
In the USA, DNA Day was celebrated for the first time on April 25, it was officially proclaimed by both houses of Congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives. However, DNA Day was declared a one-time event, not an annual holiday.
Since 2003, the National Institute for Human Genome Research (a division of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, USA) has been organizing events dedicated to DNA Day. The date may vary, but it certainly falls on April: for example, in 2010 it was celebrated on April 23, in 2011 – April 15, in 2012 – April 20. Some organizations around the world celebrate April 25 as World DNA Day or International DNA Day.
In Russia, DNA Day was celebrated for the first time on April 24-25, 2009 at Krasnoyarsk State Medical University. These days, festive events dedicated to the holiday were held, including open lectures for teachers, students, schoolchildren, doctors, a demonstration of scientific and popular science videos dedicated to the great discoveries of genetics.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru25.04.2014