Last weekend, the Institute hosted the event “The Code of Life – Harmony of Science and Music”.

It was an opportunity to celebrate together the 60th anniversary of the deciphering of the genetic code, the 25th anniversary of the sequencing of the human genome, and the 15th anniversary of the Poznań Chamber Choir of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The ceremony was opened by Magdalena Łuczak, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof. During the event, commemorative letters were read out from Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University, and Prof. Jerzy Kaczorowski, President of the Poznań Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Prof. Jan Barciszewski introduced the participants to the significance of these breakthrough achievements for the development of modern biology.

The lecture entitled “The Human Genome – 25 Years Since the Discovery of Its Sequence” was delivered by Luiza Handschuh, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof. She discussed the significance of determining the sequence of the human genome, as well as the history of human genome research and the importance of genomics for science, medicine, and industry. She also presented current directions in human genome research being pursued both worldwide and at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS.

The second part of the event featured a performance by the Poznań Chamber Choir of the PAS, conducted by Dr Alicja Szeluga. The Choir was accompanied by outstanding musicians – pianist Czesław Łynsza and percussionist Piotr Bylebył. Before the concert, Ms Agnieszka Konrad presented the 15-year history of the Poznań Chamber Choir of the PAS, highlighting its role in the scientific and cultural life of the Institute and showing how a shared passion for music brings the scientific community together.

The participants also had an opportunity to discover a less obvious side of the Choir. During the performance, the choristers presented the results of a meta-analysis of their 15 years of activity. Over the years, as many as 50 people have been associated with the Choir. The members’ achievements include more than 27 scientific publications and arrangements of 59 musical works. What is more, their shared activity has resulted not only in artistic and scientific achievements, but also in three choir marriages!

Among the many guests were distinguished representatives of the scientific community, current and retired Institute staff, as well as family members and friends of the Choir members. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for joining us and celebrating these exceptional anniversaries together, and our partners (the Polish Biochemical Society) and sponsors (the Department of Forensic Genetics and DIAG-MED) for their support in organizing the event!