Category: C

When an antibody molecule (against one antigen) can combine with (bind to) a different (second) antigen. This sometimes occurs because the second antigen’s molecular structure (shape) is very similar to that of the first antigen. A reaction between an antibody and an antigen that is similar to the specific antigen for which the antibody was…

Also known as the CMC of a surfactant. It is the lowest surfactant concentration at which micelles are formed. That is, the CMC represents that concentration of surfactant at which the individual surfactant molecules aggregate into distinct, high molecular weight spherical entities called micelles. Or from another viewpoint, it represents the concentration of a surfactant,…

The enzyme 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase, which is naturally produced by an Agrobacterium species (strain CP4) of soil bacteria. CP4 EPSPS is essential for the functioning of that bacterium’s metabolism biochemical pathway. CP4 EPSPS happens to be unaffected by glyphosate containing herbicides, so introduction of the CP4 EPSPS gene into crop plants (e.g., soybeans) makes those plants…

A chemical that is naturally coded for by a certain cow-pea plant gene. It kills certain insect larvae by inhibiting digestion of ingested trypsin by the larvae, thereby starving the larvae to death.  

A virus that infects cow-pea plants (which are known as black-eyed peas in the United States), but does not infect animals. Researchers have discovered how to cause CpMV to express certain animal virus proteins (i.e., antigens) on its surface, via genetic engineering. These virus antigens hold potential to replace the antigens currently used in vaccines,…

Also known as the westen com root-worm, it is the larva stage of the com root-worm beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), which historically has laid its eggs on com/maize (Zea mays L.) plants. When they hatch, the larva must feed on the roots of the com/maize plant in order to live. Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis…

A small molecule that combines with the repressor to trigger repression (the shutting down) of transcription. A small molecule that triggers repression of transcription by binding to a regulator protein or transcription factor. The substance capable of activating the repressor produced by a regulator gene.  

The number of molecules (copies) of an individual plasmid or plastid that is typically present in a single (e.g., bacterial for plasmid, plant for plastid) cell. Each plasmid has a characteristic copy number value ranging from 1 to 50 or more. Higher copy numbers result in a higher yield of the protein encoded for by…

The international treaty governing the conservation and use of biological resources around the world, that was signed by more than 1 50 countries at the 1 992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Article 19.4 of the CBD called for the establishment of a “protocol on biosafety” to govern the trans-national-boundary movement of nonindigenous…

A type of cell culture in which the cells (either mammalian or otherwise) are immobilized in a part of the system, and nutrients/oxygen are allowed to flow through the stationary cells, thus effecting nutrient/waste exchange. Ideally the system incorporates features that retard the activity of proteolytic enzymes, and reduce the need for anti-infective agents (e.g.,…