Gene Home

Come in, take a seat, and discover how your health is affected by your experiences and DNA!

Set inside the lovingly recreated 1970s living room of a Caribbean family in London, the LMS Gene Home brings culture and cutting-edge biology together in this powerful experience. Inspired by and created with the Windrush community, this interactive space explores how our genes and our environment work together to shape our health, opportunities and life stories.

Using pioneering research from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, you’ll uncover the hidden science woven into everyday life. Why do some traits run in families? How can the environment we grow up in influence the way our genes behave? And how can tiny changes in DNA ripple through generations?

Roll up your sleeves and become a scientist in our hands-on protein-building challenge! You’ll construct molecular models to see how mutations in our genes alter the proteins they produce, and ultimately, our lives and experiences. Watch how a single change can affect how cells function and discover its connection to health and disease.

You’ll also meet one of our most surprising research heroes: the humble fruit fly. Learn why scientists around the world rely on these tiny organisms to unlock big biological mysteries and how fly research helps us understand human development, aging and disease.

The LMS Gene Home is more than just a room, it’s a story about migration, resilience, identity and science. It invites you to reflect on how culture, community and biology intertwine to shape who we are.

Visitor information

This is a drop-in event suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The event has step-free access. There is wheelchair accessibility inside the Gene Home, however it may be tight to manoeuvre during busy times.

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first look at the programme, and opportunities to book free tickets for popular events.