National DNA Day Online Chatroom: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is sponsoring this chatroom?
- When will the chatroom be open?
- What background materials can I read before the chatroom opens?
- Who will be participating in the chatroom?
- What software is required for me to participate in the chatroom?
- Can I access the chatroom if I am behind a firewall?
- What do I do if I get disconnected?
- Will my question(s) get answered?
- Will a transcript be available after the chatroom is over?
- Where can I view past National DNA Day Chatroom Transcripts?
- What should I do if I experience technical problems during the chatroom?
- Where can I send feedback about National DNA Day or the chatroom?
Who is sponsoring this chatroom?
This chatroom is being sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NHGRI's mission is to support the development of resources and technology that will accelerate genome research and its application to human health. A critical part of NHGRI's mission continues to be the study of the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genome research.
When will the chatroom be open?
The chatroom will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on April 20, 2012.
What background materials can I read before the chatroom opens?
There are plenty of suggested background materials to read before the chatroom opens:
- National DNA Day: Webcasts: Webcasts produced by NHGRI to help students and teachers better understand the growing field of genetics and genomics
- National DNA Day: Teaching Tools: Links to the DNA Day Speaker Presentation, Online Education Kit, fact sheets and more.
- National DNA Day: News & Features: DNA Day Previews, News Releases and Features.
- Selected NHGRI Fact Sheets: Educational facts sheets on genomics, chromosomes, cloning, comparative genomics, more.
Who will be participating in the chatroom?
NHGRI experts will be on hand to field questions from students on a wide range of topics, including basic science, clinical research, genomic careers and the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic research.
Please see the 2012 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Schedule of Experts.
What software is required for me to participate in the chatroom?
Since the chatroom is Web-based, an up-to-date Web browser, a computer and an Internet connection are required.
The chatroom is compatible with a relatively recent version (within the last 24 months) of following browsers on a PC: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera; on a MAC: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera.
We recognize visitors to the online chatroom may be using different operating systems and Web browsers and hope every visitor has the best possible experience with this chatroom.
Can I access the chatroom if I am behind a firewall?
If you are behind a firewall, it may block any URLs or page titles that contain the word "chat". If this is the case, please contact us to receive a list of all the URLs to be passed through your firewall. Once you receive the list, please work with your network administrator or IT department to make sure all the URLs are passed.
What do I do if I get disconnected?
If you get disconnected, go to www.genome.gov/20519689 and click the DNA Day Online Chatroom Chat Now button to open up the chatroom window.
Will my question(s) get answered?
We will make every effort to answer your question(s) in a timely fashion. However, we are expecting a very high volume of questions throughout the day. Please be patient, and remember that you can always check the transcript if you do not see your response posted during your class period.
Will a transcript be available after the chatroom is over?
Yes! A transcript will be available shortly after the chat is over. The transcript will be fully searchable. You can either search for answers by a certain expert or seach for particular keywords.
For the 2012 chat transcript, visit: www.genome.gov/27548412.
Where can I view past National DNA Day Chatroom Transcripts?
Past National DNA Day Chatroom Transcripts are available in the Online Chatroom Archives.
What should I do if I experience technical problems during the chatroom?
If you experience technical problems during the chatroom, please report them to nhgriweberrors@mail.nih.gov.
Where can I send questions or comments about National DNA Day or the online chatroom?
Please visit the National DNA Day: Feedback page.
Last Updated: April 20, 2012