Workshop Cue Cards

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to methods used for obtaining and analyzing DNA samples, as well as key techniques in molecular biology and their applications.

Buccal smear

A method of obtaining DNA samples using a swab from the inside of the cheek.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, producing millions of copies for analysis.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR)

Real-time PCR that amplifies and quantifies specific DNA sequences as they are created, measuring fluorescence signals.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

A method that uses restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sites, detecting genetic variations.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis

A technique used to identify repeat sequences in DNA for forensic and ancestry studies.

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH)

A method for detecting chromosomal aberrations and large-scale genomic changes by comparing test DNA to reference DNA.

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

A technique that visualizes specific DNA sequences within chromosomes using fluorescently labeled probes.

Gene Cloning

The process of isolating and making copies of a specific gene.

CRISPR-Cas9

A genome editing technology that allows for precise modifications of DNA sequences.

Mass Spectrometry

A technique used to analyze protein sequences and structures by measuring mass-to-charge ratios of ionized molecules.

Edman Degradation

A method for sequencing amino acids in a protein by labeling the N-terminal amino acid.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Therapeutic agents that link cytotoxic drugs directly to antibodies targeting specific cancer cells.

A260/A280 Ratio

A measurement that assesses protein contamination in nucleic acid samples, ideally around 1.8 for DNA.

Qubit Fluorometer

A device that uses fluorescence-based quantification for accurate measurements of DNA and protein concentrations.