A co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, James Watson, delivers a lecture at Trinity College later this year to mark the 50th anniversary of this Nobelprize-winning research. A schools competition is linked to his visit, writesDick Ahlstrom
It is five decades since the discovery of the DNA double helix, the shape of the molecule that gives us life. Its co-discoverer, James Watson, comes to Dublin in April to mark the event and to give his views on where advances in the genetic technologies are taking us.
He comes as a guest of the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College, Dublin and speaks on April 28th. His talk is entitled, "DNA 50 years ago and today".
The discovery of the nature of DNA "ranks as the greatest discovery in biology since Darwin and has led to the huge revolution in genetics, molecular biology biotechnology and molecular medicine" states Trinity's professor of Genetics, Prof David McConnell, who is organising Watson's visit.
"He and [co-discoverer, Francis] Crick, in discovering the structure of DNA, changed the way we do biology, even the way we think about biology," says McConnell. "You couldn't imagine the human genome project without the structure of DNA."
James Watson will carry out a number of functions as the 50th anniversary approaches. He speaks on April 25th at a celebration in Cambridge, where he and Crick did their groundbreaking research, and then comes to Trinity. The noted philosopher and chair of the UK's Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and originally from Northern Ireland, Dr Onora O'Neill, will respond to Watson's Dublin address.
To mark the significance of Watson's visit and to increase public understanding of this important area of research, Trinity College decided to organise a competition for secondary schools. The top prize, aside from meeting Watson at Trinity College, includes a trip to Cambridge where the double helix was discovered.
It is open to students in transition, fifth or sixth years in a recognised school in the Republic of Ireland. The object of the competition is to produce a newspaper supplement including text, headlines and illustrations. The subject matter is the story of genetics since the discovery of the double helix in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick.
Applicants must form teams involving three students and one teacher to produce their newspaper supplement. It can be in any format - broadsheet, tabloid, A3 or A4 - and will contain material equivalent to between 16 and 32 pages of A4.
The supplement should be written for the general, educated reader. Without being uncritical, the material should leave the reader with a much greater understanding of genetics and where it is going.
Important sources of information should be acknowledged and any direct quotations should be enclosed in quote marks. The organisers require original writing, not lifts from websites. They also point out that plagiarism is not an acceptable practice.
A panel of judges will choose four finalist teams and these groups will make a presentation about their entries at Trinity College on April 28th. The winning entry will be chosen based on both the newspaper supplement and on the quality of the presentation.
The Tánaiste, Mary Harney will announce the winning team at the lecture being given by James Watson. All four groups will be invited to the lecture and Watson will present the top prize and award framed certificates to the three runner-up teams.
Sponsors of the competition are the Irish Science Teachers' Association, Science Foundation Ireland, the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College and The Irish Times.
Entries should consist of three full-colour hard copies, a copy on CD or floppy disc and an application form signed by the team and their teacher. These should be sent to: DNA Times, Department of Genetics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, to arrive before Friday March 14th.
Official application forms and further information are available on the website:
www.tcd.ie/Genetics/notice/notice.htm by clicking on the double helix icons