2010 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2010. The NHGRI Director and many genomics experts from across NHGRI took questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research, to the genetic basis of disease, to ethical questions about genetic privacy.

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When do you use a molecular screen of bacteria?
     David Bodine, M.D., Ph.D.: I investigate the genetics of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells (PHSCs) to improve the effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation and to find better ways to use these unique cells for gene replacement therapy. Currently these screens are part of The Human Microbiome Project. The Bacteria in and on our bodies outnumber the number of cells in our body. Most of these bacteria do not grow in culture, either in liquid or on bacteria plates. Using the new sequencing technology the HMP is identifying all of the different kinds of bacteria in different parts of the body and in different disease states.
Sindhu Mahavidyalaya Institution, Nagpur, India (Higher Education student)

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