COLLEGE STATION – A new exhibit “Genome: The Secret of How Life Works” opens Aug. 25 in the Ansary Gallery of American History at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University.

Designed for all ages, the genome exhibit explores the nature and impact of advances in genome research through visually rich environments, interactives, artifacts and multi-media presentations. Other exhibits in the museum’s rotunda and gallery spaces will highlight research programs conducted at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Bush Library and Museum director Warren Finch said the exhibit provides great partnerships with local institutions and is a unique educational opportunity for the community.

“This exhibit will allow us to highlight the work and accomplishments in the field of genomics by several leading organizations such as what we have here at Texas A&M, showcasing the realization of the vision that began with President Bush,” he said.

In 1989 President George H.W. Bush signed into law the appropriations for The Human Genome Project and mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003 during President George W. Bush’s administration. The project accomplished its mission of identifying the more than 20,000 genes in human DNA and determining the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA subunits (basis of the human genome).

The exhibit is sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and media partner KBTX Media, and presented in cooperation with the Texas A&M University Whole Systems Genomics Initiative, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the department of animal science.

“We are excited to partner with the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum to showcase both the accomplishments of the Human Genome Project and the important contributions to many genome projects made by Texas A&M students, staff and faculty,” said Dr. Penny Riggs, assistant professor in the department of animal science and chair of the exhibit steering committee.

“These exhibits provide a wonderful opportunity for us to share our work with the community, and to show how this research leads to advancements in agricultural productivity, human and animal health, and influences economics, policy, ethics, and other fields,” she said.

“Understanding the genomes of humans, livestock and crops will be fundamental to meeting the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population in the coming decades.  Texas A&M AgriLife Research is proud to be a part of this exhibit and to highlight our work in this exciting area to visitors to the Bush Library,” said Dr. Craig Nessler, AgriLife Research director.

In conjunction with the Genome exhibit, there will be monthly issues forums by experts discussing a wide range of topics related to genetics, health, agriculture and more. The first issues forum is Sept. 18 and will offer insight into important historical advances in a presentation about “Norman Borlaug and the Future of the Green Revolution” by Dr. Ron Phillips, a Regents Professor Emeritus and former McKnight Presidential Chair in Genomics at the University of Minnesota.

The genome exhibit will be on display through July 5, 2013. For more information about “Genome: The Secret of How Life Works” go to bushlibrary.tamu.edu/genome.

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