A PROFESSOR of behavioural genetics at the University of Glasgow will explain the importance of DNA at a talk in Helensburgh.

Kevin O'Dell will explore what DNA can reveal about a person's family history and what can be learned from having it sequenced, with the University of the Third Age (U3A) on Friday, August 16 at 11am in the Helensburgh Parish Church Hall.

A professor at the University of Glasgow for the last 35 years, he has been working on the Zika Discovery project with Glasgow University Archives.

He also works with Time-Tastical Productions on the Wellcome Trust funded comedy sciences shows 'Zombie Science' and 'Superhero Science' which have been seen by over 65,000 people. 

A spokesperson for the Helensburgh U3A group said: "His research original focused on the genetic basis of sex-specific behaviour in drosophila melanogaster, as well as using drosophila as a model of human genetic disease.

"However, over the past ten years or so Kevin has been heavily involved in teaching, especially running the genetics degree programme.

"Kevin has many years’ experience of both undertaking and leading public engagement activities and projects.

"These include the Images on the Clyde in conjunction with Glasgow Science Centre, events such as Blame Your Parents for Glasgow Science Festival and hosting various events for the Royal Society of Biology."

In 2014, he received the Innovator in Public Engagement award from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and with Time-Tastical Productions Superhero Science, won the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community prize at the 2016 Herald Higher Education Awards.

Coffee and tea are available after the talk and there is a charge of £2 towards room hire.

U3A talks are open only to members, and those who wish to join can fine out more by visiting the Helensburgh group's official website at www.u3asites.org.uk/helensburgh.