Marshfield Clinic delves into human genetics during DNA day celebration

WAUSAU – The All of Us Research Program and Marshfield Clinic Research Institute will host Human Genetic Research in the 21^st Century to celebrate National DNA Day, promoted by the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, in April.

The event will be held on April 25 at UW-Stevens Point at Wausau in Sonnentag Hall, UW Center for Civic Engagement, 625 Stewart Ave., Wausau.

Significant advances in genetics have been made over the last 100 years. It is expected that even larger advances will be made in the next 10 years. This talk by Scott Hebbring, Ph.D., research scientist at the Center for Precision Medicine Research at the Research Institute, will focus on how technology is changing our understanding of DNA and its relationship to human disease.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres; the presentation will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. when you can learn about the latest advances in genomic research and explore how those advances may impact lives.

The All of Us Research Program, a nationwide effort to gather data from one million or more people living in the U.S. to accelerate research and improve health, is part of the precision medicine initiative and focuses on the differences in our environment, lifestyle, and biology. By studying these differences, researchers may find patterns.  This may help improve health for everyone.

All of Us participation

All of Us participants will become partners in advancing precision medicine research. All of Us enrollment sites in Wisconsin are in Wausau, Marshfield, Madison and Milwaukee. The Research Institute plans to have additional research sites in the Chippewa Falls area in 2019.

The All of Us Research Program is an effort to advance individualized prevention, treatment and care for people of all backgrounds. A consortium led by Marshfield Clinic Research Institute and joined by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Versiti Wisconsin, Inc. is spearheading enrollment in Wisconsin. People ages 18 and older, regardless of health status, are able to enroll.

To start the participant journey, go to JoinAllofUs.org to create an account, give your consent, agree to share your electronic health records and answer health surveys. An All of Us staff member may contact you for an in-person appointment to have your measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, etc.) taken and to give blood and urine samples. After completing these steps, you will receive a $25 gift card. You can call 888-633-9987 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment where All of Us staff can walk you through the enrollment process.