Comprehensive Bioinformatics and Genetic Techniques for Molecular Biology

Bioinformatics

Computer-based analysis of biological sequence data

Comparative genomics

Comparison of genomes from different species to identify similarities and differences

DNA fingerprint

Technique that identifies individuals using unique DNA patterns

DNA microarray

Tool used to measure expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously

Functional genomics

Study of gene function and interactions, not just DNA sequence

Gene family

Group of related genes formed by duplication of an ancestral gene

Haplotype

Set of DNA variations inherited together on the same chromosome

Highly repetitive sequences

Repeated DNA regions useful for genetic identification

Human Genome Project

International effort to sequence and map the entire human genome

Metabolome

Complete set of metabolic molecules in a cell or organism

Next-generation DNA sequencing

High-throughput sequencing that processes millions of DNA fragments at once

Pharmacogenomics

Study of how genetic variation affects drug response

Proteome

Entire set of proteins expressed by a cell or organism

Pseudogene

Nonfunctional gene similar to a functional gene

Short tandem repeat (STR)

Short repeated DNA sequences used in DNA profiling

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

Variation at a single nucleotide position in DNA

Transposons

DNA sequences that can move within the genome

Retrotransposons

Transposons that move via an RNA intermediate

Antisense RNA

RNA molecule complementary to mRNA that blocks translation

Bioremediation

Use of organisms to remove environmental pollutants

Biotechnology

Use of living systems to develop useful products

cDNA library

Collection of cloned DNA copies made from mRNA

Clone

Genetically identical copy of a gene or organism

cDNA

DNA synthesized from an mRNA template

DNA ligase

Enzyme that joins DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds

Expression vector

Vector designed to allow transcription and translation of a gene

Gel electrophoresis

Technique that separates DNA fragments by size using electricity

Genomic library

Collection of cloned DNA fragments representing an entire genome

Knockout

Organism in which a gene has been intentionally inactivated

Pharming

Use of genetically engineered organisms to produce pharmaceuticals

Recognition sequence

Specific DNA sequence recognized by a restriction enzyme

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed by combining DNA from different sources

Replicon

DNA region capable of replication from a single origin

Reporter gene

Gene whose expression is easily detected (e.g., GFP, lacZ)

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences

Restriction site

Location on DNA where a restriction enzyme cuts

RNAi

RNA-based mechanism that silences gene expression

Selectable marker

Gene that allows identification of transformed cells

Stem cell

Undifferentiated cell capable of self-renewal and differentiation

Transfection

Introduction of foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells

Transformation

Introduction of foreign DNA into bacterial cells

Transgenic

Organism containing foreign DNA from another species

Vector

DNA molecule used to transfer genes into a host cell

Sticky end

Single-stranded DNA overhang created by staggered cuts

Proteomics

Large-scale study of proteins and their functions

Primer

Short nucleic acid sequence that initiates DNA synthesis

Probe

Short labeled DNA or RNA used to detect complementary sequences