Open science at the fourth Ladera Sur Festival: CRG connects the community with the future of genomics and sustainability
The 1000 Genomas project and Center for Genome Regulation laboratories participated in the fourth Ladera Sur Festival in November 2025 with an interactive stand, live microscopy and the “Gene Hunters” workshop, reaffirming their commitment to citizen science.
For the second consecutive year, the Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation (CRG) joined Ladera Sur Festival with an open, participatory science program connecting hundreds of visitors with DNA’s mysteries, microscopic biodiversity and the challenges climate change poses to agriculture.
A second visit that is becoming a tradition
In November 2025, Santa Rosa de Apoquindo Park once again became a meeting place for the community and cutting-edge scientific research. Ladera Sur Festival, a leading celebration of culture, sustainability and outdoor life in the Metropolitan Region, welcomed CRG back as one of its most popular science participants. This was not an isolated appearance, but part of an institutional commitment to taking science beyond laboratories and into conversation with people.
The 1000 Genomas stand became a busy focal point of the festival. Visitors of all ages explored real-time DNA sequencing technology, observed organisms invisible to the naked eye, and actively participated in experiments usually confined to specialist settings.
2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
3+ INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
∞ SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY
Gene Hunters: hands-on science
One of the most popular activities was “Gene Hunters,” coordinated by researchers and students from CRG’s laboratories. Families and young people carried out the full process of extracting DNA from plant tissue, from crushing the biological material to observing the precipitated genetic material. Everyday reagents helped dispel the idea that science is distant or inaccessible.
The workshop connected this process to urgent questions: How do plants adapt to climate change? What information does a native species’ DNA hold? How can understanding genomes contribute to more sustainable agriculture that preserves biodiversity and reduces agrochemical use? These questions not only motivated scientific activity but also sparked thoughtful conversations about the future of our surroundings.
Ladera Sur: a festival connecting culture, nature and science
Ladera Sur Festival has established itself as a distinctive Chilean event weaving together music, art, local food and environmental reflection around sustainability and community life. For CRG, it provides an ideal setting for dialogue with a diverse, engaged audience willing to explore the frontiers of knowledge and their applications for a greener, more resilient future.