“Sequence” discussion and book signing by genetics expert Lori Andrews    A murder mystery is unraveling within the walls of the National Museum of Health and Medicine in a new book, "Sequence," by internationally known genetics professor Lori Andrews, who discussed her book and hosted a book signing at the museum. In her first work of fiction, the protagonist, Alexandra Blake, a brilliant and determined geneticist in Washington, D.C., becomes involved in the investigation of a serial killer who is targeting military bases. Blake, whose work involves developing vaccines against infectious diseases at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP, the museum’s parent organization), is compelled to put aside her normal duties and take responsibility of handling the forensics of a crime scene. Andrews discussed how she used her knowledge of modern genetics and forensics to create this fascinating and gripping thriller. She also explained her reasons for choosing the AFIP and museum for the setting. “I had a conversation with Adrianne [Noe, Ph.D., museum director] and she was so excited because she had just received a finger bone in the mail. But this wasn't just any finger bone; it was the trigger finger of Charles Guiteau, President Garfield's assassin. That is why I thought this would be a good place for a mystery novel." Several scenes in the book play out in the museum and provide an insider’s look at the important work of the museum and the AFIP. One of the museum’s more famous artifacts is also highlighted -- the leg bones of Civil War Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, the Union Third Army Corps commander who was struck by a cannonball during the battle of Gettysburg. Sickles was on horseback when the 12-pound ball severely fractured his lower right leg. He quieted his horse, dismounted, and was taken to a shelter where Surgeon Thomas Sims amputated the leg just above the knee. Shortly after the operation, the Army Medical Museum received Sickles' leg in a small coffin-shaped box bearing a visiting card with the message "With the compliments of Major General D.E.S." The amputation healed rapidly and by September of 1863 he returned to military service. For many years on the anniversary of the amputation, Sickles visited his leg at the museum. Andrews, a distinguished professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, is director of the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute for Science, Law and Technology in Chicago. A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, Andrews has been involved in setting policies for genetic technologies and also been an adviser on genetic and reproductive technology to the U.S. Congress, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and several foreign nations. She has authored 10 books and more than 100 articles on genetics, alternative modes of reproduction and biotechnology. She has also appeared on "Nightline," "Oprah," and other major network programs. Sequence is Andrews’ first novel and is published by St. Martin’s Minotaur. It is available at www.amazon.com.