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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How do cells in your immune system have memory of the viruses they've fought before?      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. You have white blood cells called T-cells that are constantly circulating looking for viruses. when they encounter one, they amplify and signal other white blood cells that make antibodies against that virus. If the T-cells have seen the virus before there will be lots of them around. This is why after you have been vaccinated against measles, you do not get sick if you come into contact with a person who has that virus. McClesky Middle School in GA (7th grade student)

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