FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      

REUBEN H. FLEET SCIENCE CENTER ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF STEM CELL EXHIBITION

$441,397 to Fund Development of New Stem Cell Exhibit and Expanded Educational Programming

SAN DIEGO, Calif., February 1, 2010—The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center today announced a $441,397 exhibition currently in development, tentatively titled, “Cellular Journey: Stem Cells and the Cells of the Human Body.”  Through this 2,000 sq. ft. exhibition, made possible by the Life Technologies Foundation, the Fleet seeks to create a dynamic long-term museum exhibit that will expand the public’s knowledge and appreciation of human cell biology, the importance of stem cells, and the potential impact of stem cells on medical research in the fields of regenerative and personalized medicine. 

Funding for the exhibition has been made possible through a $441,397 grant awarded by the Life Technologies Foundation, a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation, based in Carlsbad, CA.  Funding and planning for the exhibition is timed with a need for greater public education in the area of human biology.  Recent surveying of the American public reveals that fewer than 10% of those questioned consider themselves “very familiar” with biotechnology.  “Cellular Journey” will make a significant contribution to public education and attitudes about this important area of life science research and shed light on what a stem cell is, as well as the therapeutic potential it holds to cure conditions.

Under the direction of the Cellular Journey Community Advisory Committee, including: Dr. Evan Snyder, Program Director, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Burnham Institute for Medical Research; Dr. Ellen Potter, Neurobiologist, Salk Institute; Dr. John Chestnut, Research Fellow, Global Science and Innovation Office, Life Technologies; Barton Hays, Biology Teacher, Helix High School; and Dr. Kristina Yu, Director – Living Systems, Exploratorium, San Francisco; as well as Reuben H. Fleet Science Center staff and Board members including, Dr. Bill Carley, Dr. Chuck Wheatley, Eric Johnson, Olga Alvarez, Dr. Sophia Randolph, and Dr. Susan Lenz, the Fleet will create an exhibit that demystifies the science of stem cells.

“This exhibition will expand the public’s knowledge of life science through interactive exhibits and information that is accurate, accessible, and engaging.  We hope to make the science of human cell biology both accessible and educational to the public, and through this, to deepen the public’s appreciation of science and the work of local scientists,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, Executive Director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Plans for the exhibition include interactive and hands-on components that will be fundamental in making the scientific information presented both vivid and personal to visitors.  Interactive exhibit components currently under review include:

-          “Fly into a cell” theater where visitors can explore the unseen world of the human cell.

-          Cell function matching activity where visitors will manipulate an interactive to match parts of cells with their functions.

-          “You Are a Scientist,” where visitors will utilize real lab equipment to simulate stem cell extractions and use computer software to grow virtual cultures of specialized cells to affect a disease process such as diabetes or cancer.

“Cellular Journey” will be accessible to people of all ages and levels of scientific knowledge.  Beginning with basic information about cell biology, the exhibition will progress in complexity to include more detailed demonstrations of stem cell research and its applications, with the final goal of giving the public, educators and students access to the potential impact of the stem cell revolution in medical research.  Similar to existing exhibits at the Fleet Science Center, visitors will have the opportunity to self-select the level of complexity they wish to focus on and self-pace their learning as they move through the exhibition.

The “Cellular Journey” exhibition is currently underway and scheduled to open to the public in early 2011.  The exhibition is being developed and produced by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and has been made possible by generous support from the Life Technologies Foundation.  “Cellular Journey” will also be a bilingual exhibit, with instructions and scientific explanations presented in both English and Spanish. 

About the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

With exhibits to touch, IMAX^® films to watch and motion simulator rides to experience, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (“the Fleet”) offers an educational, entertaining experience for visitors of all ages.  Located at 1875 El Prado, two blocks south of the San Diego Zoo on Park Blvd, the Fleet is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. For information regarding current admission prices, please call (619) 238-1233 or visit our Web site at www.rhfleet.org.

About the Life Technologies Foundation

The Life Technologies Foundation™ is dedicated to advancing science education and key scientific discoveries that use the application of biology to address societal needs. In particular, the Foundation supports programs that accelerate the use of genomics to further healthcare, projects that advance medical education, and initiatives focused on providing biological solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. By teaming with educators and researchers, the Foundation also strives to demystify the world of life science and empower today’s children to become tomorrow’s scientific leaders. Launched in 2008, the Life Technologies Foundation has committed approximately $6 million to causes that advance the understanding and applications of science. The Foundation is a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. For more information or to submit a grant proposal, please visit www.invitrogen.com/foundation.

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Media Contact: Erin Burns

                         (619) 685-5743

                         eburns@rhfleet.org