Bioinformatics and Sequencing Technologies

Vocabulary flashcards covering various BLAST tools, bioinformatics formats, sequencing technologies, and generations of GM crops based on the provided lecture notes.

BLASTP

A BLAST tool used to search a protein database using a protein query.

BLASTX

A BLAST tool used to search a protein database with a query that is a nucleotide sequence that first gets translated.

TBlastN

A BLAST tool used to search a translated nucleotide database using a protein query, useful for finding genes in distantly related species.

FASTA format

A standard text-based format for representing nucleotide or protein sequences in bioinformatics.

ClusterW or ClusterOmega

Bioinformatic tools commonly used for performing multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis.

Sanger sequencing method

Also known as the chain termination method, developed in 1977.

Modified ddNTPs in Sanger sequencing

Chemicals that terminate the extension of the DNA strand because they lack the 3'-OH group.

Illumina sequencing

A second-generation sequencing technology that utilizes a process called bridge amplification.

Ion Torrent Semiconductor Sequencing

A second-generation sequencing technology that relies on the detection of hydrogen ions released during nucleotide incorporation.

Single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing

A third-generation sequencing technology that detects the fluorescent signal of a single nucleotide being added to a DNA strand in real time.

Oxford Nanopore technology

A sequencing technology that sequences DNA by monitoring changes to an electrocurrent as nucleic acids are passed through a protein nanopore.

First-generation GM crops

Genetically modified crops possessing enhanced traits like herbicide tolerance or insect resistance without significant changes in phenotype, taste, or nutrition.

Second-generation GM crops

Genetically modified crops with increased nutritional benefits for consumers, such as higher vitamin or protein levels.

Third-generation GM crops

Genetically modified crops primarily developed to provide resistance to abiotic stress or produce active pharmaceutical products.