Virtual Reality for Outreach and Community-Engagement in Paleogenomics: Development of a 360° Tour of an Ancient DNA...

Virtual reality (VR) and digital visualization tools offer new opportunities for science education and community outreach by increasing the accessibility and transparency of controlled-access laboratory spaces, such as ancient DNA (aDNA) cleanroom environments for paleogenomics research. These visualization methods provide a critical intervention for the field of paleogenomics by combining public science outreach efforts with digital tools to support engagement with descendant communities, the public, or other communities of care. Here, we present the creation of a 360° Tour of the Ancient DNA Laboratory at the University of Connecticut (360° Tour). The virtual environment was developed using 3DVista software and hosts interactive audio, images, and videos that allow users to engage with aDNA laboratory workflows in the spaces where they are executed. Interactive elements are organized into three thematic categories: Orientation Audio, which introduces the laboratory spaces and their functions; Information Hotspots, which provide contextual information about equipment or processes; and Embedded Skills Videos, which demonstrate core aDNA methods. We present the 360° Tour's web integration and detail its use for public outreach in collaboration with Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation's Bioarchaeology Program. Overall, VR tools such as the 360° Tour offer a transferable framework to improve accessibility and transparency in laboratory research, enhancing community engagement and education efforts for paleogenomics and science more broadly.