Category: R

A method of separating a mixture of proteins or nucleic acids or other molecules by specific interactions of the molecules with a hydrophobic (i.e., “water hating”) immobilized phase (i.e., stationary substrate) which interacts with hydrophobic regions of the protein (or nucleic acid) molecules to achieve (preferential) separation of the mixture.  

Also known as reversed micelle or inverted micelle. A spheroidal structure formed by the association of a number of amphipathic (i.e., bearing both polar and nonpolar domains) surfactant molecules dissolved in organic, nonpolar solvents such as benzene, hexane, isooctane and oils such as com and sesame. The structure of an RM is the reverse of…

Oncogenic (i.e., cancer-producing), single-stranded, diploid RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses that contain (+) RNA in their virions and propagate through a double-helical DNA intermediate. They are known as retroviruses because their genetic information flows from RNA to DNA (reverse of normal). That is, the viruses contain an enzyme that allows the production of DNA using RNA…

Certain retroviruses that are used by genetic engineers to carry new genes into cells. These molecules become part of that cell’s protoplasm.  

A nucleotide sequence (of base pairs) in a DNA molecule that is “recognized,” and cleaved by a given restriction endonuclease.  

A pictorial representation of the specific restriction sites (i.e., nucleotide sequences that are cleaved by given restriction endonucleases) in a DNA molecule (e.g., plasmid or chromosome).  

A “genetic mapping” technique that analyzes the specific sequence of bases (i.e., nucleotides) in a piece of DNA. Since the specific sequence of bases in their DNA molecules is different for each species, strain, variety, and individual (due to DNA polymorphism), RFLP can be utilized to “map” those DNA molecules (e.g., for plant breeding purposes,…

A class of enzymes that cleave (i.e. cut) DNA at a specific and unique internal location along its length. These enzymes are naturally produced by bacteria that use them as a defense mechanism against viral infection. The enzymes chop up the viral nucleic acids and hence their function is destroyed. Discovered in the late 1970s…

A class of enzymes, each of which cleaves (i.e., cuts) oligosaccharides (e.g., the side chains on glycoprotein molecules) at a specific location within the chain. They are an important tool in carbohydrate engineering, enabling the carbohydrate engineer to sequence (i.e., determine the structure of) existing oligosaccharides, to create different oligosaccharides, and to create different glycoproteins…

The product of a regulatory gene, it is a protein that combines both with an inducer (or corepressor) and with an operator region (e.g., of DNA). Something, especially an enzyme, that inhibits or interferes with the initiation of protein synthesis by genetic material.