This workshop will use a teaching resource that is freely available to teachers nationwide through Genetics Otago. We will work through the teaching module 'Rare Disease Genetics' to introduce the basic methods to filter potential disease-causing variants from an individual's whole genome, a cutting-edge technique used to diagnose rare genetic disorders in real-world medical settings.

We will use a real-life example from a New Zealand family to demonstrate the process and introduce the basics of computer-based genetic filtering. We will also run through some simple exercises relating to inheritance and disease, and carry out a basic experiment in a laboratory environment.

Although aimed at high school teachers, any teens or adults who are interested are welcome to join. This workshop features video footage from a family who are affected by a genetic disease, and who have very kindly allowed for their story and genetics to be shared for the purpose of education. It is an emotional story and may be upsetting to some participants – there will be an opportunity to leave the room before the video is played.

For attendees: please assemble in the foyer of the Biochemistry building, University of Otago campus, at the start-time to be escorted to the laboratory.