The Jackson Laboratory Receives NCI-MATCH Designation

December 9, 2019

JAX will contribute to cancer research through connecting eligible cancer patients with clinical trials for genetic treatment. The Jackson Laboratory recently announced that its Clinical Genomics Laboratory is participating in and contributing to the NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH or EAY131) clinical trial. Being that JAX is a program affiliate, we have both an alumni and a current student in the picture posted to the Jackson Laboratory website! In the header photograph on this page we can see current Health Care Genetics student Melissa Soucy and alumni Dan Bergeron.

Holiday Season Celebration & Open House

December 5, 2019

HOLIDAY SEASON CELEBRATION & OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 11:00a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
NORD Headquarters, 55 Kenosia Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810

Connecticut Rare Action Network invites all rare disease patients, caregivers, family members, patient organizations, healthcare professionals and elected officials to celebrate the holiday season and connect with rare disease community members here in Connecticut.

All are welcome. This is a family friendly event. Refreshments will be served.
Introductions & open discussion begins at 12:00p.m.

Please RSVP to Kristen Angell at kangell@rarediseases.org or 203.304.7251
Walk-ins welcome too!

Rare Disease Forum

RARE DISEASE FORUM

at Hospital for Special Care, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06503
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.

If you, a family member, or a friend has a rare disease, please join us for an open discussion about the challenges many families face caring for a loved one and a chance to meet other families dealing with a rare disease.

Health care providers, researchers, and representatives from state agencies, academic centers, industry, and the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) are also being invited to participate in our discussion about available state resources for rare disease families, and state legislation (or policy changes) needed to improve the lives of those living with a rare disease.

For more information or to RSVP email lesley.bennett@rarediseases.org

or visit RareCT.org

Rare Awareness Event in Torrington – Rare Disease Discussion

November 5, 2019

A RARE Awareness event is taking place at the Torrington Senior Center on November 7 from 6-7:30pm. Please attend for a discussion of rare diseases and the challenges many families face helping a loved one with a complicated medical condition.

Movie Screening!

August 9, 2019

Anya movie poster

UConn Institute for Systems Genomics and the Health Care Genetics Professional Science Master’s Degree Program will be hosting a screening of ANYA – a genetic mystery movie.

The screening will take place on Monday October 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm in the Student Union Theater.
Stay tuned!

More Details to Follow

Dr. Rachel O’Neill is an Expert in Mapping Weird Genomes

July 15, 2019

“The dinosaurs came and went, but the crabs stayed”… Dr. Rachel O’Neill

In an article by Kim Krieger titled "The Fortunate Ones?", you can read about why the horseshoe crab's blood is so valuable. You can also find out where you can go to see PhD student Kate Castellano feeding horseshoe crabs in a tank decorated like the town of Bikini Bottom.  Dr. Rachel O'Neill, key faculty in the Health Care Genetics program provides the story as to why “Weird animals" are valuable models to  understand species diversity and adaptation to Earth’s diverse environments.  https://magazine.uconn.edu/2019/06/05/the-fortunate-ones/