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Discovered by Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman, they are RNA molecules that act as enzymes, that is, possess catalytic activity and can specifically cleave (cut) other RNA molecules. The ribozyme (RNA) molecule and the other RNA molecule come together; whereupon the ribozyme molecule cuts the other RNA molecule at a specific defined (three-base) site. Because…

A protein involved in (chemically) assisting Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in the termination of transcription at certain (rho dependent) sites on the DNA molecule.  

Used to denote compounds (human molecules) made through the use of recombinant DNA technology.  

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,…