Amplification: Making multiple copies of a gene or of any sequence of DNA . Repeated copying of a piece of DNA.
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Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
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Biotechnology: The fusion of biology and technology. Biotechnology is the application of biological techniques to product research and development. In particular, biotechnology involves the use by industry of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, and new bioprocessing techniques. Biotechnology is expected to become increasingly important in the 21st century.
cDNA: Complementary DNA. cDNA is single-stranded DNA made in the laboratory from a messenger RNA template under the aegis of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This form of DNA is often used as a probe in the physical mapping of a chromosome.
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Clone: Literally a fragment, the word in modern medical science has come to mean a replica, for example, of a group of bacteria or a macromolecule such as DNA. Clone also refers to an individual developed from a single somatic (non-germ) cell from a parent, representing an exact replica of that parent. A clone is a group of cells derived from a single ancestral cell.
Cloning: The process of making a clone, a genetically identical copy. Cloning can refer to the technique of producing a genetically identical copy of an organism by replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized ovum with the nucleus of a body cell from the organism.
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DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. One of two types of molecules that encode genetic information. (The other is RNA . In humans DNA is the genetic material; RNA is transcribed from it. In some other organisms, RNA is the genetic material and, in reverse fashion, the DNA is transcribed from it.)
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DNA forensics: The application of DNA technology and the knowledge of DNA genetics to the practice of forensic medicine and to the power of legal medicine .
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Enzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism. An enzyme acts as catalyst for specific chemical reactions , converting a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into specific products. Without enzymes, life as we know it would not exist.
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Essential: 1. Something that cannot be done without.
2. Required in the diet, because the body cannot make it. As in an essential amino acid or an essential fatty acid.
3. Idiopathic. As in essential hypertension. "Essential" is a hallowed term meaning "We don't know the cause."
Evolution: The continuing process of change, especially in reference to natural selection.
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Genetic: Having to do with genes and genetic information.
HIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus , the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV has also been called the human lymphotropic virus type III, the lymphadenopathy-associated virus and the lymphadenopathy virus . No matter what name is applied, it is a retrovirus. (A retrovirus has an RNA genome and a reverse transcriptase enzyme. Using the reverse transcriptase , the virus uses its RNA as a template for making complementary DNA which can integrate into the DNA of the host organism).
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Measles : An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever , runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash . Measles , also known as rubeola, is a potentially disastrous disease. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia , encephalitis (which can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death), the sudden onset of low blood platelet levels with severe bleeding (acute thrombocytopenic purpura), or a chronic brain disease that occurs months to years after an attack of measles (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis).
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Messenger RNA: The key intermediary in gene expression, translating the DNA's genetic code into the amino acids that make up proteins. Messenger RNA is abbreviated mRNA.
Molecule: The smallest unit of a substance that can exist alone and retain the character of that substance.
mRNA: Messenger RNA, the key intermediary in gene expression, translating the DNA's genetic code into the amino acids that make up proteins.
Mumps : An acute (sudden, shortlived) viral illness that usually presents with inflammation of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands. A child with mumps often looks like a chipmunk with a full mouth due to the swelling of the parotids (the salivary glands near the ears).
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Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction: Abbreviated RT-PCR. See: RT-PCR.
RNA: Short for ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid molecule similar to DNA but containing ribose rather than deoxyribose. RNA is formed upon a DNA template. There are several classes of RNA molecules.
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RT-PCR: RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) is a highly sensitive technique for the detection and quantitation of mRNA (messenger RNA). The technique consists of two parts:
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Synthesis: Putting together different entities to make a whole which is new and different. In biochemistry , synthesis refers specifically to the process of building compounds from more elementary substances by means of one or more chemical reactions.
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Transcription: Making an RNA copy from a sequence of DNA (a gene). Transcription is the first step in gene expression.
Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tubes, one on each side, which transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). The Fallopian tubes have small hair-like projections called cilia on the cells of the lining.
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Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, "My daughter has a viral rash ."
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Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. Infection with a virus can cause a person to develop symptoms. The disease and symptoms that are caused depend on the type of virus and the type of cells that are infected.
- Tuberculosis - Read about tuberculosis (TB) treatment, diagnosis (skin test), transmission, cause (Mycobacterium) and symptoms. TB infection is a contagious disease that's easily spread.
- Herpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) - Learn about cold sore(s) (herpes simplex infection) causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment (with OTC medication and prescription medications).
- Hepatitis C - Read about hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle aches, poor appetite, fever, jaundice, and easy bruising. Causes, diagnosis, and treatment information is provided in the information.
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