World DNA Day 2026

🧬🌍 Today we celebrate World DNA Day, a global initiative that brings together students, educators, researchers, and the public to explore the power of genetics and genomics.

This day commemorates two landmark achievements in science:
🔬 The discovery of the DNA double helix in 1953
🧬 The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003

Since 2003, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has been a driving force behind DNA Day, promoting education, outreach, and public engagement to highlight how genomic science impacts our everyday lives.

💡 World DNA Day is more than a celebration. It is a movement to mobilise, energise, and empower communities to innovate, collaborate, and discover the promise of our shared humanity and connection to the natural world.

At ENDOTARGET, genomic research is central to our work. By integrating genetics, multiomics data, and microbiome insights, we aim to better understand how complex biological interactions drive chronic inflammation and rheumatic diseases, supporting the development of personalised and preventive healthcare solutions.

🔍 DNA connects us all and understanding it helps shape a healthier future for everyone.

Project Coordinator Team

Helsinki University Hospital (HUS)
Helsinki, Finland

ENDOTARGET Project Coordinator

Kari Eklund
kari.eklund@hus.fi

ENDOTARGET Deputy Project Coordinator

Gonçalo Barreto
goncalo.barreto@helsinki.fi

ENDOTARGET Project Manager

Ana Valkama
ana.valkama@hus.fi

Communication & Dissemination Leader

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (SEZ)
Stuttgart, Germany

Lena Schleicher
lena.schleicher@steinbeis-europa.de

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.

ENDOTARGET is a Horizon Europe project supported by the European Commission under grant agreement No 101095084. All information in this deliverable may not be copied or duplicated in whole or part by any means without express prior agreement in writing by the ENDOTARGET partners. All contents are reserved by default and may not be disclosed to third parties without the written consent of the ENDOTARGET partners, except as mandated by the Grant Agreement with the European Commission, for reviewing and dissemination purposes. All trademarks and other rights on third party products mentioned in this document are acknowledged and owned by the respective holders. The ENDOTARGET consortium does not guarantee that any information contained herein is error-free, or up-to-date, nor makes warranties, express, implied, or statutory, by publishing this document.

Project Coordinator Team

Communication & Dissemination Leader

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