# General Usage

Access the UCSC Genome Browser via [http://genome.ucsc.edu/cgi-bin/hgGateway](http://genome.ucsc.edu/cgi-bin/hgGateway). We will first choose the "Configure tracks and display" button to make some changes.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_1.png)

The default text size is **"8"** which is very small, we will change the size to **"12"**. You can also change the image to to fit your screen size, such as **"800"** pixel for smaller monitors, or **"1200"** or more for larger monitors. Click "Submit" to make the change.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_2.png)

When we go to the Browser page, click "Hide all" to close all data tracks. We will load the publically available DNA methylation data tracks using the **Track hubs** function.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_3.png)

Look for the **DNA Methylation** hub and click on "Connect" to add the this hub into our UCSC Genome Browser window.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_4.png)

When we are directed back to the home page, choose **hg18** assembly, and key in **XIST** into the search term field and click "Submit".

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_5.png)

Sometime the search terms may yield results from different gene annotation sources. We will choose the **XIST** gene from the **UCSC Genes** in this case. Feel free to choose other sources.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_6.png)

When directed back to the browser, we can now view the data tracks of several methylomes, and the **UCSC Genes** track below the methylation data tracks.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_7.png)

There are more DNA methylation tracks available in this public hub below the main view window.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_8.png)

By clicking on any one of the track title, such as **\[Pub] Lister 2009**, you can change the mode of display and the types of tracks to show in the main window from this source. Feel free to try different settings.

![](http://120.126.44.231/ycl6/workshop/Ch4_9.png)
