Oligonucleotide

Oligonucleotides (pronounced: oh-ligo-new-clee-o-tides) are short DNA or RNA molecules that have a wide range of applications in genetic testing, research, and forensics.

Etymology

The term "oligonucleotide" is derived from the Greek oligo, meaning "few", and nucleotide, which refers to the monomers that make up DNA and RNA. Thus, an oligonucleotide is a molecule made up of a small number of nucleotides.

Definition

Oligonucleotides are short sequences of nucleotides (RNA or DNA), typically with twenty or fewer bases. Despite their small size, they play crucial roles in genetic testing, research, and forensics.

Applications

Oligonucleotides are used in a variety of biological and medical applications. These include:

Genetic testing: Oligonucleotides can be used to detect specific sequences of DNA or RNA, including those that may indicate the presence of a genetic disease.
Research: In the laboratory, oligonucleotides are used in a variety of experiments, including those involving PCR (polymerase chain reaction), DNA sequencing, and gene cloning.
Forensics: Oligonucleotides can be used to identify individuals or species by comparing the sequences of their DNA.

Related Terms

Nucleotide: A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
RNA: Ribonucleic acid, a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.
Polymerase chain reaction: A method widely used in molecular biology to make several copies of a specific DNA segment.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Oligonucleotide
Wikipedia's article - Oligonucleotide

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Oligonucleotide