100,000. That’s how many South Carolinians MUSC Health and Helix, a leading population genomic company, are looking to enroll over the next four years in the new community genetic testing research project In Our DNA SC. 🧬

The large-scale, first-of-its-kind program will use the data collected to deliver information back to participants about their genetic risks for certain conditions in addition to developing secure and privacy-protected genetic + research databases.

Over time, the database will help researchers learn what may cause certain diseases, how to treat them more effectively, and help improve the standard of health care for all.

How it works:

To participate in the program, those 18+ years old can review and sign a research consent form to enroll, provide a saliva sample at their next MUSC appointment, and wait to receive results at no cost.

With the results, participants + their healthcare providers will receive confidential health information that identifies genetic risks for conditions such as:

High cholesterol + heart disease
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers
Colon cancer

Plus, if you opt to sign up for a Helix account, you also receive a genetic ancestry report showing where your ancestors likely lived + a traits report detailing how your genes may influence certain traits (such as your caffeine metabolism).

Why it matters:

Explaining the program in a recent episode of Advance with MUSC Health, Dr. Daniel Judge said, “We're doing this to be proactive about health — the idea that knowledge is power. You can use these results to prevent the problem that's being investigated.”

Think: The more researchers understand about how DNA impacts health and diseases, the more they can improve healthcare for you, your family, and your community for generations to come.

Click the button below to complete the interest form and learn more.*

EVENTS

Friday

Mixology 101 | Fri., Jan. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Capital City Club — Columbia | $10 | Learn how to make four healthy(ish) cocktails that won’t crash your diet. 🍸
KC + the Sunshine Band | Fri., Jan. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $36+
Rotie Salley | Fri., Jan. 21 | 6 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free

Saturday

UofSC Men’s Basketball vs. Georgia | Sat., Jan. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $14+ 🏀
Cheers to Two Years | Sat., Jan. 22 | 12-9 p.m. | Craft And Draft | Free | Come celebrate the brewery’s two-year anniversary with live music and drinks. 🍻
Brooks Herring — Brunch | Sat., Jan. 22 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Woody on Main | Free
Player 1 Productions Presents: Daily Bread | Sat., Jan. 22 | 8 p.m. | Main Course | $30+
"Pay What You Can" Yoga | Sat., Jan. 22 | Oliver Gospel Roastery | $10-$50 | Bring your own mat to Oliver Gospel's "pay what you can" yoga class directly benefiting its mission of helping people.

Sunday

Jersey Boys | Sun. Jan. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $43+ | Experience The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning true-life musical phenomenon. 🎟️
Freeman Sundays | Sun., Jan. 23 | 3-4:30 p.m. | School of Music 206 Recital Hall | $5+ | The concert features the university’s renowned music faculty.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

37º | Snow with brief sleet | 50% chance of rain 🌨️

Coming Soon

Shvaas Spa and Salt Cave is coming very soon to Columbia and will be located at 1716 North Main St. beside Transmission Arcade. The new spa is set to open this weekend with guests able to book salt cave halotherapy, a session in the meditation zen garden, time in the infrared sauna, or a hydro massage.

Development

The FBI’s newest building under construction in Lexington County is set to be finished in 2023. The new development will combine its three offices in Columbia, give the agency more space, and allow for technological enhancements. 🏗️ (The Post and Courier)

Closed

After six years, the James & Eloise Fine Children's Boutique storefront — located at 5175 Sunset Blvd. — is closed. The boutique announced it will be transitioning to an online-only format and its website is coming soon. 💻

Soda Citizens

Experience Columbia announced Columbia’s new 2022 ambassadors. Get to know Mike Mayo, Angela Yong, Preach Jacobs, and Ashley Cady Elsey — the locals who share the best of what the Capital City has to offer. 🏛️

Tech

NineFX just announced a new joint venture with Meridian Technologies. We wrote about NineFX a few years back as a startup from Columbia to watch. The joint venture gives clients a small business feel with large-company capabilities. (PR Newswire)

Job

The Fireflies job fair has been postponed due to inclement weather in the forecast this weekend. The job fair has been rescheduled to Jan. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Segra Park. Those looking to attend are encouraged to apply prior to the fair. 🌨️

Community

If you’re in the Forest Acres area the next few nights + hear a loud bang around 7 p.m., don't worry, it's for the buzzards. Huh? Yep. Buzzards are gathering along Ponte Vedra Dr., and in an effort to shoo them away, the city has permitted the use of a device that makes a loud bang. 🔊

Number

31. The number of passages you have to hike or bike to earn a Passage Hiker Patch. The passages range across South Carolina with a few going through Columbia, like the Capital City Passage. Once completing all the trails, you get a patch — and all the bragging rights. 🥾

Listen

In this episode of the Health Focus podcast from MUSC Health, host Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Alec DeCastro, Associate Professor and Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at MUSC, about the causes + healing process for pinched nerves. 🎧*

Real Estate

The office space at 1501 Main St. (the TD Bank Building) is seeing some serious action lately. Trinity Partners Columbia recently moved to the 138,000+ sqft. building, and is also leasing vacant spaces within the property. Contact the listing brokers to learn more or schedule a tour. 🏢*

Featured Job

CKP is looking for a Public Relations Assistant. The award-winning communications firm is based in Texas but is looking for a South or North Carolina team member for its hybrid workplace. Learn more and apply.*

📸 @metropolissalonsc

Metropolis Salon gave a peep inside its new location at 1215 Wayne St. beside Chipotle. The new building is in currently in the demolition stage with a retail storefront, rental spaces, and glass windows + doors in the works.

Its building is ~8,000 sqft., and there will be plenty of parking available. Follow Metropolis Salon on Instagram for more updates and details about the upcoming location.

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