PDF file: EURASNET Annual Report 2008

Work Package 19 Public Understanding of RNA BiologyLead Participant: Andrea Bartamonthplanned achieveddeliverables: 17 A webpage for science and society issues (coordinated withthe EURASNET homepage) (continued)42 3619 A training workshop in public understanding of 29 29science for NoE scientists (month 29)243 an extended brochure for the general public 34 40describing the NoE, the concepts, participants andprojects, as well as alternative splicing indevelopment and disease (month 34)244 media contest (scientist write press releases) (month 29 2929)245 a new version of the EURASNET leaflet (month 34) 34 40246 continuous enrichment and update of the PUS part of 42 42the webpage; as well as continuous collection ofteaching material for RNA biology (month 42)(wasdeliverable 144)247 a newsletter describing contemporary findings withinthe EURASNET; the newsletter will appear twice ayear, starting from month 3434 35Objectives of the work package• To inform the public about the important role of RNA processing in mechanisms of human disease and for thedevelopmental program of organisms, and to explain in general terms the major aims and results of the NoE consortium.• To discuss with a general audience issues of ethical and social concern raised by progress in the RNA splicing field and toexplain the impact of this research for future medical intervention and disease management• To educate and support scientists in the NoE to enhance their skills in communication with the public, media andpoliticiansShort description of activities17 Continued efforts are made in improving the relevant web-entries.19 A training workshop in public understanding of science for NoE scientists.A media workshop with the aim to provide media training for network members was held in the framework ofthe First International EURASNET Conference on Alternative Splicing (23rd -25th May 2008 in Krakow). Adetailed report of this event is published at the EURASNET webpage. EURASNET members as well asparticipants of the conference attended the media workshop. Special media training was provided likeformulating a press release, interview training and discussion training with the focus on the social and ethicalmatters of science. The main focus of the workshop was on bringing the scientific message across to the mediain a press release.243 An extended brochure for the general public describing the NoE, the concepts, participants and projects, aswell as alternative splicing in development and disease.An extended EURASNET brochure for specific target groups like medical doctors, teachers and pupils willinform the public about the impact of alternative splicing on life in general, and to improve the awareness andunderstanding of the activities, aims and results of EURASNET in particular. Target groups should be informedabout the important role of RNA processing in mechanisms of human disease as well as in the developmentalprogramme of higher organisms. Furthermore, the brochure is also intended to act as a more elaborateintroduction to the network (including all 40 research groups) and giving a detailed insight into their researchtopics and fields. Presented articles will be richly illustrated with pictures, schemes and drawings for an easyunderstanding of the topic. Target groups to be reached were selected to act as “amplifiers”. These are medicaldoctors, teachers (especially biology teachers, intending to further instruct their pupils about the topic of69