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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What technology do you use to observe DNA inside of cells?      Shawn Burgess, Ph.D.: I currently study developmental processes and their relation to human genetic disease. There are many, many different techniques used to look at DNA depending on the kind of questions you are trying to ask. High powered microscopes can look at proteins binding DNA in the cells, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will probe DNA at the molecular level (think CSI), and classical biochemistry will allow you to purify DNA from proteins and lipids. Brownsville Area High School in PA (9th grade student)

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