NIH Radio
Take the 'Talking Glossary of Genetic terms' mobile app with you
Brief Description:
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at NIH is releasing the free 'Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms' mobile app. Now, when you hear a genetic term on TV, from your physician or in any conversation, you can quickly hear an expert tell what that term means.
Transcript:
Akinso: The NIH now has a new mobile app called the Talking Glossary of Genetic terms.
Witherly: The app, is an iPhone app, works on the iPad, and the iPod touch.
Akinso: Dr. Jeffery Witherly is from the NIH.
Witherly: Basically it’s a free download at the Apple app store that allows people to hear scientists who talk conversationally. Tell you what common terms are in genetics like gene, chromosomes or trickier terms like allele. Common terms that we now see in the media, hear from our doctors, hear from our friends or read in a book.
Akinso: In addition to a written definition, users can listen to a scientist explain the term and provide context which Dr. Witherly explains.
Witherly: So first of all you can read what the definition is and then without that being read by anybody a scientist who’s told that it’s there but don’t read that now tell me conversationally what that term means. There are incredible illustrations that are enlargeable. You can actually download the illustrations as pdfs and they’re copyright free. And there is a lot of 3D animations which are just fantastic even on an iPhone.
Akinso: Dr. Witherly explains how to download the app.
Witherly: You can search anywhere. If you put in Google itself “Talking Glossary”, it’s the only “Talking Glossary” in the world and if you put talking “Talking Glossary App” it’ll take you directly to the page on the Apple app store for the free download. If you go on the Apple store, the app store, if you already have an iPhone just put in “Talking Glossary”
Akinso: Many of the glossary terms are studied in middle school, high school and collegiate science classes. Teachers at all levels were used to help compile the terms and evaluate the glossary during development. For more information on this app, visit www.genome.gov. This is Wally Akinso at the NIH Bethesda, Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 9/23/2011
Reporter: Wally Akinso
Sound Bite: Dr. Witherly
Topic: Genes, Genetics
Institute(s):
NHGRI
Additional Info: http://www.genome.gov/27545338
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