What is BIOLUMEN LAB?
BIOLUMEN LAB is an experience, an environment and a place to learn and try out new ideas, through combining scientific and creative arts methods of exploration.
BIOLUMEN LAB allows people to get hands on with genetics and get to grips with how our genes shape us.
BIOLUMEN LAB is made possible through support from the CURIOUS MINDS programme. CURIOUS MINDS encourages all New Zealanders to ask good questions, solve local problems and uncover innovative science and technology solutions for a brighter future.
This is done through extracting and sequencing DNA from plant and fungi. The resulting strings of numbers and letters are then used to control the light and sound environment of the BIOLUMEN LAB.
WHO IS IT FOR?
BIOLUMEN LAB offers a programme that wraps creative arts and science together to allow anyone to participate. We’ve based the BIOLUMEN LAB experience on what’s happening in the New Zealand school biology and arts programmes, although that is really only a starting point.
You don’t need any scientific or creative arts back ground to participate in the BIOLUMEN LAB.
We want to make BIOLUMEN LAB accessible for anyone from 10 to 110 (any older and you’ll need a note from your mum)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Genetics holds a great deal of promise for understanding, diagnosing and treating disease. BIOLUMEN LAB aims to create a hands on experience for understanding how our genes impact health and well-being.
The Royal Society says that cancer research is being transformed through the development of genomically based healthcare.
But for many, the science of genetics is daunting and scary conjuring up images of Frankenstein’s monster and killer zombie plants.
We wondered how we might make understanding genetics more tangible and offer a glimpse into the exciting science that is emerging in this field.
Through encouraging families, friends and whānau to join in experiencing the BIOLUMEN LAB we want to highlight the opportunities that science offers.