Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
On Saturday, 26 April 2025, Prague’s Faust House came alive with a celebration of World DNA Day. World DNA Day, celebrated annually on April 25, commemorates the discovery of the DNA double helix by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 and the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. The event was organized by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences together with the National Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) and prepared a rich program. The event attracted several dozen visitors of all ages, who had the opportunity to spend an afternoon full of learning, discovery and inspiration.
From the very beginning, it was possible to participate in interactive games and competitions. Children could assemble a model of a DNA molecule, solve a detective game focused on forensic genetics or take away coloring books, brochures, thematic comics, and tattoos with DNA motifs. The day also included an exhibition of information posters that presented, for example, the structure of DNA, the history of its discovery, the revolutionary CRISPR/Cas9 method and other interesting facts from the world of genetics.
The DNA Day celebration began with the awarding of prizes for contributions to the creative competitions Children Draw DNA and What Will the N’adoor Villain Do Next? In total, an incredible almost 300 competition entries were submitted – pictures, comics, videos and one story. Despite the relatively abstract task, all competitors coped with the requirements perfectly and proved that even a complicated topic can be understood by anyone.
See what the best ones looked like in the report on the NICR website (in Czech).
The afternoon was mainly devoted to lectures that introduced visitors to various aspects of genetics. Tomáš Venit showed how DNA was reflected in films, for example in Jurassic Park, and why the revival of dinosaurs remains fiction. Michal Šmída introduced the CRISPR/Cas9 technology for gene editing and mentioned its benefits and ethical issues. Vladimíra Koudeláková spoke about the influence of HPV on cell genetics and its connection with cancer.
The second half of the event was opened by Lenka Hajgajda with a story about the establishment of the ASGENT patient organization and support for gene therapy. Radka Václavíková explained the influence of genetics on personalized cancer treatment. František Sedlák focused on changes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers thanks to DNA research. The program was varied and brought both professional knowledge and personal stories that emphasized the role genetics plays in medicine today.
The whole afternoon was spent in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere. The event showed that science does not have to be complex and aloof, but on the contrary, when presented in a playful and understandable form, it can really excite everyone.
We would like to thank the NICR Communications Team and the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and the team from its Academic Club – Fausťák for kindly providing the space.
