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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Does DNA have an "expiration date"?      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. Not really, but the DNA in your cells is constantly under attack from the environment. Chemicals, uv light and radiation are just a few examples. These can cause changes or degradation of DNA. Fortunately our cells have DNA repair enzymes to fix all of this damage, keeping our DNA as it should be. Brownsville Area High School in PA (9th grade student)

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