Geeky DNA T-Shirt: XX Chromosomes

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 27, 2008 in Geeky DNA T-shirts

Noelle of XENOTEES writes to tell us she has a new tee available with XX chromosomes on the front. Stylin’!

Available at Etsy for $20.

What does DNA mean to you? #11

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 25, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

Steve Murphy of Gene Sherpas gets a bit snarky on us with his list of what DNA means to him.

1. AG are the initials of my child. That’s 2 of 4 DNA bases

2. DNA is the beginning……Only G-d knows the end

3. DNA means passion

4. DNA repair means health

5. DNA means a spot on Oprah with Dr Oz

6. DNA means mystery

7. DNA means solution

8. DNA means my favorite people minus an E and and A

9. DNA means, vulnerability in need of protection

10. DNA means the solution for recession

11. DNA means more questions than answers

12. DNA means friend in a wonderful network

13. DNA means genetics…..for now……

(>> Start a discussion!)

DNA Excerpt: Bringing Home the Birkin

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 20, 2008 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts

From Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello:

Pink-and-green flowered tiles accented the mostly white floor, with the same floral design mirrored in the quilt. The pair of overstuffed chairs and couch were all pink to match, and my masculinity was momentarily threatened until I remembered I was gay. My Y chromosome was further comforted by the dark mahogany furniture and ceiling fans, as well as the gender neutral white walls.

Update: For more, see Christina’s book review at eBeautyDaily.

(>> Start a discussion!)

What does DNA mean to you? #10

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 18, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

DNA holds a lot of meaning for the always thorough Blaine Bettinger of The Genetic Genealogist.

When I first received this question, I quickly realized that I could probably spend hours answering it. DNA has had such a profound impact on my life that I barely know where to begin.

I guess I should start with my own DNA. As a genetic genealogist, I have sequenced tiny portions of my DNA and the DNA of relatives to learn about the ancestral sources of those sequences. The results have allowed me to understand more about my most distant paternal ancestor who came to America and fought in the Revolutionary War, as well as my most distant maternal ancestor who lived in Central America and had Native American roots (which I discovered from the DNA testing). Although these pieces of DNA passed through these individuals with perhaps only a few small changes before reaching me, seeing these sequences gives me the first tenable insight into these ancestors aside from their name and the date of their birth and death. These tiny pieces of DNA have created a link between me and ancestors who died nearly 200 years ago.

Perhaps even more importantly, genetic genealogy has given me the first piece of information about the ancestry of a paternal great-grandmother who was adopted upon birth. Although this small piece of circular DNA from my paternal great-grandmother is not part of my own genetics, it was a part of her; and every decision she made ultimately led to me. Additionally, it is likely that I inherited some other part of my great-grandmotherâ€™s DNA. Thus, genetic genealogy has given me clues to some of the secrets contained within my genome.

DNA was also the basis of my graduate research. I worked in yeast genetics, a field with a long and rich history. I spent years attempting to unravel some of the mysteries of yeast genetics, and I was proud to be able to contribute (a very small bit of useful information) to the field. Although Iâ€™ve left the bench science behind me, I use the skills and the knowledge I gained on a daily basis.

And lastly, through my blog, DNA has given me an outlet to join the global conversation about genetic testing, genetic genealogy, personalized genetics, and genetic ethics. Through this outlet I have met and befriended numerous interesting and intelligent individuals who are interested in many of the same topics, including Hsien, members of The DNA Network, members of The Genealogists, some fantastic genetic genealogists, and many, many others.

Going forward, DNA will undoubtedly have even more of an effect on my life. I hope to continue to contribute to the conversation about genetic genealogy and personalized genetics, to meet new people who are interested in these issues, and to continue to explore and utilize new technologies that will help me explore my genetic past.

(2 comments)

My Newest Genetics Experiment

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 16, 2008 in DNA in General

Megan
Born last Monday
3.78 kg (8.3 lbs)

(20 comments)

DNA Video: DNA Replication by The Backrow

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 14, 2008 in DNA Podcasts and Videos

I’d say these guys earned their 30 extra credit points in science….

(1 comment)

DNA Quote: Sir William Bragg on Science

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 13, 2008 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts

150px-William Henry Bragg

The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them.

~Sir William Bragg, 1862-1942, British physicist and chemist, winner of the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics

via Quotes of the Day

(1 comment)

What does DNA mean to you? #9

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 11, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

Today, Ramunas Janavicius of Cancer Genetics who is a clinical genetics resident doctor (or SPR) from Vilnius University, Lithuania tells us what DNA means to him.

Well, EVERYTHING. Not only being core of life, this is archetypal image of pervasive and inspiring nature. I like it in a hardware (PCR tube), software (sequence in database) and wetware (t-shirt & popular culture) version.

(>> Start a discussion!)