Exam #3 Molecular Biology

Anergy

A state of T-cell non-responsiveness that occurs when antigen recognition happens without proper co-stimulation

Anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL

A protein that prevents programmed cell death and promotes cell survival

Antibody

A Y-shaped protein produced by B-cells that binds specifically to antigens and recruits immune responses

Antigen

A molecule recognized by the immune system that triggers an immune response

Bispecific antibody

An engineered antibody that binds two different targets simultaneously

Checkpoint inhibition

Therapeutic blocking of immune checkpoints to activate T-cells against cancer

Cytokine

Signaling proteins released by immune cells that regulate immune responses

Cytokine release syndrome

A severe immune reaction caused by excessive cytokine release leading to inflammation and organ damage

Epitope

The specific region of an antigen recognized by an antibody

Humanized antibody

An engineered antibody modified to resemble human antibodies to reduce immune rejection

Hybridoma

A fused cell that produces a specific antibody indefinitely

AquaBounty

A genetically engineered salmon that grows faster due to continuous growth hormone expression

Arctic Apple

A GMO apple engineered using RNA interference to prevent browning

BT toxin

A bacterial protein expressed in crops that kills insect pests

Biolistics

A method of delivering DNA into cells using DNA-coated particles

EPA

U.S. agency that regulates environmental safety of GMOs

FDA

U.S. agency that regulates food and biotechnology safety

Glyphosate

A herbicide that inhibits amino acid synthesis in plants

Innate Potato

A GMO potato engineered to reduce browning and bruising

Polyploidy

A condition where cells have extra sets of chromosomes

Protoplast fusion

A method of fusing plant cells without cell walls to create hybrids

USDA

U.S. agency that regulates agricultural biotechnology

Cas9

An endonuclease that cuts DNA at a sequence specified by guide RNA

CRISPR

A genome editing system derived from a bacterial immune defense mechanism

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disease causing thick mucus and respiratory issues

DNA repair mechanisms

Cellular processes that repair DNA after damage

Editing by homology-directed repair

Precise DNA repair using a template sequence

Editing by non-homologous end joining

Error-prone DNA repair causing insertions or deletions

Genome editing

The process of making targeted changes to DNA

Germ line

Cells that produce gametes and pass genetic information to offspring

Guide RNA

RNA molecule that directs Cas9 to a specific DNA sequence

Huntington’s disease

A genetic disorder caused by repeat expansions leading to neurodegeneration

Meganuclease, TALEN, ZFN

Earlier genome editing tools using protein-based DNA recognition

Mitochondrial donation/replacement

A technique replacing defective mitochondria to prevent disease

Mosaicism

The presence of genetically different cells within one organism

Off-target editing

Unintended DNA modifications at non-target sites

PAM (Protospacer Adjacent Motif)

A short DNA sequence required for Cas9 binding and activity

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Screening embryos for genetic defects before implantation

Addgene

A nonprofit repository that distributes plasmids for research

ABE

Adenine base editor that converts A-T base pairs into G-C

Acr proteins

Anti-CRISPR proteins that inhibit CRISPR activity

CBE

Cytosine base editor that converts C-G base pairs into T-A

David Liu

Scientist who developed base editing and prime editing

Electroporation

A method of introducing DNA into cells using electrical pulses

Gene knockout

The complete inactivation of a gene

Indel

Insertion or deletion mutation caused by DNA repair

Micro-injection

Direct injection of material into a cell

Prime editing

A CRISPR method that inserts

Progeria

A genetic disease causing premature aging

Rapid directed evolution

A method of evolving proteins through repeated mutation and selection

Transfection

The introduction of nucleic acids into cells

Chain of custody

The documented tracking of evidence handling

CODIS

A U.S. DNA database used for forensic identification

NDIS

The national DNA database system used in forensics

STR

Short tandem repeats used in DNA profiling

• they are highly variable between individuals, making them ideal for identification. (Forensics)

Locus

A specific position on a chromosome

Allele

A variant form of a gene

The Innocence Project

An organization using DNA evidence to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals

Touch DNA

DNA left behind from skin contact

Secondary DNA transfer

DNA transferred through an intermediate source

Lukis Anderson

A specific case highlighting wrongful implication due to secondary DNA transfer. Paramedics accidentally contaminated the crime scene after handling somebody else earlier in the day. Who was he?

The Golden State Killer

A criminal identified using genealogical DNA databases

Antigenic drift

Gradual mutations in viral genes leading to new strains

Antigenic shift

Major genome reassortment creating new viral strains

Cap snatching

A viral process of stealing host mRNA caps

GeneXpert Xpress

A rapid PCR-based diagnostic test

Hemagglutinin

A viral protein that allows influenza to bind host cells

Human challenge trial

A study where participants are intentionally exposed to a pathogen

ID Now

A rapid molecular diagnostic testing platform

Influenza A

A virus that infects humans and animals and can cause pandemics

Influenza B

A virus causing seasonal infections in humans

Influenza C

A mild influenza virus

Influenza D

A virus that primarily infects cattle

Neuraminidase

A viral protein that helps release new viral particles

M2 ion channel

A viral protein involved in uncoating

Original antigenic sin

The immune system’s bias toward first encountered viral strains

Reassortment

The exchange of genome segments between viruses

RIDT

Rapid influenza diagnostic test

Virus-like particle

A non-infectious structure resembling a virus used in vaccines

Monoclonal antibody

Identical antibodies produced from a single clone

Polyclonal antibody

A mixture of antibodies targeting multiple epitopes

Recombinant protein

A protein produced using engineered DNA in host cells

T cells

Immune cells responsible for adaptive immunity

T-cell exhaustion

A state where T-cells lose function after prolonged activation

Trispecific antibody

An engineered antibody targeting three molecules to enhance immune response

Tumor microenvironment

The environment surrounding a tumor that affects immune response