The Sunday with a Scientist program at the University of Nebraska State Museum will explore plant gene silencing in a 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15 presentation.

Bin Yu, assistant professor of biological sciences, will lead the hands-on, family-friendly event at Morrill Hall. The program will include an introduction to gene silencing triggered by RNAs and related technology used to improve crop traits and fight against human diseases.

Gene silencing refers to mechanisms by which organisms turn off the expression of certain genes. An important gene silencing mechanism is RNA silencing, which regulates important biological processes such as development, metabolism and adaptation to environmental stress.

Participants in the Sunday with a Scientist event can compare normal plants to those that are defective in gene silencing as well as observe plants with traits altered by gene silencing technologies.

Sunday with a Scientist is a series of presentations that highlight the work of UNL researchers, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters share scientific information in a fun, informal way through demonstrations, activities or by conducting science on site. Sunday with a Scientist is 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.

For more information, go to http://www.museum.unl.edu.