Micronuclei and Mercury

Genomic integrity is a new 'big picture' concept to aid public health efforts and basically includes all the molecular genetic details of cells! So many things we commonly choose to do can impact genomic integrity, also potentially affecting future generations!

Pollution that we can rarely choose to avoid is a key problem affecting genomic integrity, that sometimes cannot be avoided by local populations. For instance, mercury, like that which pollutes many areas where gold mining is pursued (legally or illegally).

One way to measure effects of mercury pollution in cells is the micronucleus assay.

Introduction

After a visit to the site of the old Hackuarium in November 2018 by members of MáS ARTE MáS ACCIóN, Rachel was invited by Fernando and Alejandra to join in co-constructing a project with a group of Swiss artists sponsored by ProHelvetia.
Concern about a mercury-empoisoned river, people in its vicinity and hoping to reach people in creative way, the current Hackuarium president, Rachel, jumped at the chance. Perhaps genomic integrity could be protected in the long run with some action...
Perhaps micronuclei workshops will be run with many kids from 3 locations during the next visit?

Context

In Colombia

In Switzerland

People

Fernando Alejandra Andrés Ox Jonathan Steve? (bogota researcher) Mabel (quibdo`researcher) Bella Yuli Camilo more!!

Protocol (Plan)

Setup description

Needs for workshop

The most important point of this wiki page in Hackuarium, is to define the needs and consumables for the simplest micronucleus assay, for 20 participants.
We can do this workshop for any age from 9 to 99, and hope you will want to try!