The Basser Center’s Homologous Hope in Times Square

“DNA Comes Alive in Penn Medicine’s Basser Research Center for BRCA” reads a video billboard in a glittering Times Square, alerting New Yorkers to the exciting unveiling of the Homologous Hope Sculpture at the Basser Center.

Focusing on hereditary forms of cancer caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the Basser Center now welcomes visitors with a nearly one-ton sculpture, replete with LED lights that glow through the glass walls of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine late into the night.

Modeled to resemble a portion of the BRCA2 protein responsible for the all-important function of DNA-repair that helps the body stop the development of cancers, an image of the sculpture lit up Times Square, pictured above.

Read more about the installation celebration, the artist behind the sculpture, and view photos from the event.