Traveller Genes: genetics and ancestry | 8 December 2021

How do genes vary across populations and why is this important for understanding our health and the risk of diseases?

In early 2021 a group of Scottish Travellers asked Professor Jim Wilson a question - could he look at their genes to try to better understand their origins?  

Jim has spent his whole working life unravelling genetic puzzles, so he said yes and the Traveller Genes study began. Jim is now working with the Scottish Traveller community to help them uncover their genetic roots. In this event, Jim was joined by Samantha Donaldson, one of the study contributors, who shared her perspective on why and how genetic studies like Traveller Genes are of interest to her community.   Hosted by Hazel Lambert.

Speakers   

Samantha Donaldson is a collaborator on the Traveller Genes study and a proud Scottish Traveller. Samantha is an independent film maker and is currently studying towards a degree in Media and Communications at Queen Margaret University.   

Professor Jim Wilson leads research into how genes vary across the British Isles and why this is important for understanding our health and risk of diseases.