Molecular and Cellular Techniques

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms related to molecular and cellular biology techniques.

Gene Cloning

Process of making multiple copies of a particular gene.

Recombinant DNA technology

Use of laboratory techniques to bring together fragments of DNA from multiple sources

Genomics

Molecular analysis of the entire genome of a species

Gel electrophoresis

Separates DNA molecules of different sizes

Southern blotting

Gel transfer hybridization is used to detect specific DNA fragments

DNA sequencing

Determines base sequence of DNA

DNA microarray or gene chip

Monitors expression of thousands of genes simultaneously

cDNA

Complementary DNA, mRNA -> DNA

PCR

DNA cloning technique; can be used to obtain either genomic or cDNA clones

Column chromatography

Proteins can be separated using this technique. Examples include: ion-exchange, gel-filtration, and affinity chromatography

SDS polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis

Proteins can be separated by SDS

CRISPR-Cas technology

Use of CRISPR-Cas technology to inactivate a gene or create a point mutation

Shotgun DNA sequencing

Randomly sequence many DNA fragments from the genome, then computers are used to align overlapping regions and assemble DNA into a contiguous sequence

Homologous genes

Two or more genes that are derived from the same ancestral gene

Paralogs

Two or more homologous genes within a single species

Gene Family

Two or more paralogous genes that carry out related functions

Metagenomics

The study of the complex mixture of genetic material obtained from an environmental sample

Proteomics

The study of all the proteins encoded by the genome and their interactions

Bioinformatics

The use of computer technology to collect, store, and analyze genetic data

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that uses mRNA as a template to make a complementary strand of DNA

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences

Vector

A DNA molecule that acts as a carrier to transfer genes into a host cell

Orthologs

Homologous genes that occur in different species

Transgenic organism

An organism whose genome has been altered by introducing a foreign gene(transgene) from another species, often through genetic engineering

Transgenic organism

Organism that contains genes from another species

Library

A collection of genes, DNA fragments, or proteins

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and other microscopic organisms; useful for creating a DNA library

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria; used as a vector to move DNA into bacterial cells

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method used to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a segment of DNA, generating thousands to millions of copies

Gene Expression

The process of transferring genetic information from a DNA or RNA sequence to a protein

Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate molecules based on their size and electrical charge

Southern Blotting

A technique used to detect specific DNA sequences in DNA samples

Northern Blotting

A technique used to detect specific RNA sequences in RNA samples

Western Blotting

A technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample