2014 07 27 Botany 2014 DNA Subway Workshop

 Pre-Workshop Homework

Laptop Compatibility

If you are bringing your own laptop:

Most laptops (<5 years old) updated with the latest web browser will have no problem. However, we do strongly recommend using the Firefox Browser (http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/fx/). Use of Internet Explorer will almost certainly cause problems, while Chrome has caused problems occasionally.

Here are some things to check:

• If possible, make sure you have have administrative privileges on your computer (should it become necessary to install or update software during the workshop).

• Ensure that your computer is running a current browser (Mozilla Firefox 13/ Safari 4 or later).

• Be aware, Java 7 has known issues that limit some functionality on DNA Subway. Get either Java 6 from this link: http://java.com/en/download/manual_v6.jsp, or prime your Java installation as described on Page 5 in the Red Line Walkthrough.

• If you are a Windows user, ensure that your computer is running Java 6 Update 19 or later by going to http://java.com and click ‘Do I Have Java?’ Then click ‘Verify Java version’ and install.

• If you are a Mac user, check that your computer has the latest Java installed (probably Java 6) and that it also is enabled. (Check it out at http://java.com or contact williams@cshl.edu for additional advice).

• To test your Java installation, go to http://gfx.dnalc.org/files/apollo/test/ and follow the instructions at that site. The test is successful if an image opens up on your computer that looks like this screenshot: Again, you may need to prime your Java installation as described above.

Make sure you have a valid iPlant account

• You should be able to log into the DNA subway at: http://dnasubway.iplantcollaborative.org/.

• If you do not have an iPlant account, please get one at: http://user.iplantcollaborative.org/register.

Additional Readings and Assignments

• Review DNA Subway manual (a printed copy will be presented at the workshop)

• Review DNA Barcoding laboratory (a printed copy will be presented at the workshop)

• Bring a small sample of plant tissue (a leaf/flower/etc.) or collect one on campus before the experiment.

• If you wish to bring sequence data for the DNA barcoding or genome annotation experiments feel free to do so! 

• Check out the slides and papers mentioned in the agenda.

Workshop Agenda and Resources

Attendees & DNA Barcoding