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Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
A cytogenetic technique that is used to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. FISH uses fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome with which they show a high degree of sequence complementarity. Fluorescence microscop…
Northern Blotting
A technique used in molecular biology research to study gene expression by detection of RNA (or isolated mRNA) in a sample. Northern blotting involves the use of electrophoresis to separate RNA samples by size and detection with a hybridization probe complementary to part of or the entire…
Southern Blotting
A method routinely used in molecular biology for detection of a specific DNA sequence in DNA samples. Southern blotting combines transfer of electrophoresis-separated DNA fragments to a filter membrane and subsequent fragment detection by probe hybridization.
DNase footprinting assay
Method used to detect DNA-protein interaction based on fact that protein bound to DNA will often protect DNA cleavage. A DNA footprinting technique from molecular biology/biochemistry that detects DNA-protein interaction using the fact that a protein bound to DNA will often protect that D…
DNase (deoxyribonuclease)
An enzyme used in DNase footprinting assays to cut the radioactively end-labeled DNA, followed by gel electrophoresis to detect the resulting cleavage pattern.
DNA microarray
A DNA microarray (also commonly known as DNA chip or biochip) is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome. Each DN…
cDNA
DNA synthesized from a messenger RNA (mRNA) template in a reaction catalysed by the enzymes reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase.
cRNA
Single-stranded RNA whose base sequence is complementary to specific DNA sequences (e.g., genes) or, more rarely, another single- stranded RNA; usually conveys an artificial hybridization probe or antisense genetic inhibitor.
Transformation
A genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake, incorporation and expression of exogenous genetic material from its surroundings and taken up through the cell membrane.
Transduction
The process whereby foreign DNA is introduced into another cell via a viral vector. Transduction does not require physical contact between the cell donating the DNA and the cell receiving the DNA (which occurs in conjugation), and it is DNAase resistant (transformation is susceptible to D…
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens
a bacteria that infects many types of plants. Forms a t-pilus to pass its T DNA to the plant host. The T DNA, after being stably integrated into the host genome, forms a tumor that produces substances that nourish the bacteria. T DNA is part of a key transfection vector: Ti Plasmid. A rod…
Transfection
The process of deliberately introducing nucleic acids into cells. The term is used notably for non-viral methods in eukaryotic cells. It may also refer to other methods and cell types, although other terms are preferred: "transformation" is more often used to describe non-viral DNA transf…
Reverse Transcriptase
An enzyme used to generate complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template, a process termed reverse transcription. RT is needed for the replication of retroviruses (e.g. HIV), and RT inhibitors are widely used as antiretroviral drugs. RT activity is also associated with the replication of …
Cytogenetic Testing
Evaluate whole chromosomes from the nucleus of the cell for changes in number or structure. Cytogenetic testing is often the first tier of genetic testing for a number of clinical situations. These situations include assessment of a developmentally delayed child, evaluation of a cancerous…
Transfer DNA (T DNA)
The transferred DNA of the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid of some species of bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. It derives its name from the fact that the bacterium transfers this DNA fragment into the host plant's nuclear DNA genome. The T-DNA is border…
Ti (Tumor inducing) plasmid
A circular plasmid that is a part of the genetic equipment that Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes use to transduce its genetic material to plants.
Capsid
The protein shell of a virus. It consists of several oligomeric structural subunits made of protein called protomers. The observable 3-dimensional morphological subunits, which may or may not correspond to individual proteins, are called capsomeres. The capsid encloses the genetic materia…
Procapsid
A protein shell lacking a virus genome.
Dodecameric portal protein complex
A term pertaining to protein quaternary structure, and describes a protein complex with 12 protein subunits (protein chains) arranged in a ring. Dodecameric complexes can have a number of subunit 'topologies', but typically only a few of the theoretically possible subunit arrangements are…
Icosahedral capsid
Refers to a geometric shape formed by a virus' capsid. One of two main shapes of virus capsid, along with helical.
Terminase -> protein complex subunit
A viral enzyme is docked on the portal and the DNA is translocated through the portal channel. Terminase contains the ATPase that powers the translocation machine (by which the genetic material enters the procapsid.)
Concatemeric replicative DNA
A long continuous DNA molecule that contains multiple copies of the same DNA sequences linked in series. These polymeric molecules are usually copies of an entire genome linked end to end and separated by cos sites (a protein binding nucleotide sequence that occurs once in each copy of th…
Transduction
Delivery of genes by a virus
Gene therapy
The use of DNA as a pharmaceutical agent to treat disease.
Vesicle
A small bubble within a cell, and thus a type of organelle. Enclosed by lipid bilayer, vesicles can form naturally, for example, during endocytosis. Alternatively, they may be prepared artificially, when they are called liposomes. Vesicles perform a variety of functions. Because it is sep…
Adenovirus
medium-sized (90-100 nm), nonenveloped (without an outer lipid bilayer) icosahedral viruses composed of a nucleocapsid and a double-stranded linear DNA genome. Adenoviruses represent the largest nonenveloped viruses. Because of their large size, they are able to be transported through the…
Mesosome
Are folded invaginations in the plasma membrane of bacteria that are produced by the chemical fixation techniques used to prepare samples for electron microscopy. Although several functions were proposed for these structures in the 1960s, they were recognized as artifacts by the late 1970…
Retroviruses
An RNA virus that replicates in a host cell. First it uses its own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome, reverse of the usual pattern, thus retro (backwards). This new DNA is then incorporated into the host's genome by an integrase enzyme. The cell then treats t…
Adeno-associated viruses
A small virus which infects humans and some other primate species. AAV is not currently known to cause disease and consequently the virus causes a very mild immune response. Gene therapy vectors using AAV can infect both dividing and quiescent cells and persist in an extrachromosomal stat…
Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec)
A gene therapy treatment that compensates for lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD), which can cause severe pancreatitis.
Lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD)
Caused by a mutation in the gene which codes lipoprotein lipase. As a result, afflicted individuals lack the ability to produce lipoprotein lipase enzymes necessary for effective breakdown of fatty acids. The most common symptoms of pancreatitis are severe upper abdominal burning pain rad…
Chylomicrons
Lipoprotein particles that consist of triglycerides (85-92%), phospholipids (6-12%), cholesterol (1-3%) and proteins (1-2%). They transport dietary lipids from the intestines to other locations in the body. Enable fats and cholesterol to move within the water-based solution of the bloodst…
Lipoprotein lipase
A member of the lipase gene family. It is a water soluble enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides in lipoproteins, such as those found in chylomicrons, into two free fatty acids and one monoacylglycerol molecule. It is also involved in promoting the cellular uptake of chylomicron remnants, c…
Ribozyme
An RNA molecule that is capable of performing specific biochemical reactions, similar to the action of protein enzymes.

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