chappy genome I

SAGE

Measures gene expression by sequencing short transcript tags

Transcriptome

Complete set of RNA molecules in a cell or tissue

DNA Microarray

Chip containing probes used to measure thousands of genes simultaneously

Alternative Splicing

Different exon combinations create different mRNAs from one gene

Orthologous Gene

Same ancestral gene in different species retaining similar function

Paralogous Gene

Gene produced by duplication within a genome that evolves a new function

BLAST

Compares biological sequences to databases to predict function and relationships

Homologous Recombination

Exchange of DNA between similar sequences during repair or crossing over

Transposon Tagging

Uses transposon insertion to identify unknown genes

RNAi

Silences genes by destroying or blocking mRNA

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Intentionally changes a DNA sequence

Immunocytochemistry

Uses fluorescent antibodies to visualize proteins

Thermostable DNA Polymerase

Heat-resistant enzyme used for DNA synthesis during PCR

Fusion PCR

Joins DNA fragments using overlapping sequences

RT-PCR

Converts RNA to cDNA and amplifies it by PCR

PCR Requirements

Template DNA, primers, polymerase, Mg²⁺, and dNTPs

Genetic Mapping

Maps genes using recombination frequencies

Physical Mapping

Maps exact distances between genes in base pairs

Restriction Mapping

Locates restriction enzyme cut sites on DNA

FISH

Uses fluorescent probes to locate genes on chromosomes

STS

Unique DNA landmark used in physical mapping

EST

cDNA sequence derived from expressed mRNA

SSLP

Variable-length repeated DNA sequence used as a genetic marker

Clone Contig

Continuous physical map built from overlapping cloned DNA fragments

Sanger Sequencing

Uses ddNTPs to terminate DNA synthesis and determine sequence

Maxam-Gilbert Sequencing

Uses chemicals to cleave DNA at specific bases for sequencing

Pyrosequencing

Determines DNA sequence by detecting light released when nucleotides are added

Chromosome Walking

Finds overlapping clones step-by-step toward a target gene

Sequence Gap

Gap location is known but nucleotide sequence is unknown

Physical Gap

No clone exists to connect neighboring DNA regions

Reading Frame

Continuous grouping of nucleotide triplets used for translation

Intergenic DNA

DNA located between genes

Codon Bias

Preference for certain synonymous codons over others

Exon-Intron Boundary

Junction recognized by the spliceosome during RNA processing

Synteny

Conservation of gene order across species

Zoo-Blotting

Detects conserved DNA sequences across different species

Genome

Complete DNA content of an organism

Proteome

Complete set of proteins expressed by an organism

Systems Biology

Integrates biology with mathematics, engineering, and computer science

Avery Experiment

Demonstrated that DNA is the hereditary material

DNA Structure

Double-stranded antiparallel helix composed of nucleotides

RNA Structure

Usually single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose

Protein Structure

Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary organization of proteins

Reverse Transcriptase

Synthesizes cDNA from an RNA template

Type II Restriction Endonuclease

Cuts DNA at specific recognition sequences

Southern Hybridization

Detects specific DNA fragments

Western Blot

Detects proteins using antibodies

DNA Ligase

Joins DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds

Selectable Marker

Gene used to identify transformed cells, often antibiotic resistance

YAC

Yeast Artificial Chromosome used for cloning large DNA fragments

MALDI-TOF

Identifies molecules by measuring mass-to-charge ratio

Liquid Chromatography

Separates molecules based on movement through a column

Phage Display

Screens proteins or antibodies that bind a target molecule

Yeast Two-Hybrid

Tests whether two proteins physically interact

Affinity Chromatography

Purifies molecules using specific binding interaction