Category: G

The enzymatic attachment (joining) of one gene (or part of a gene) to another; also removal of introns and splicing of exons during mRNA synthesis. Technique for recombining the chemical structures of a gene. The insertion of a portion of a gene from one chromosome or one species into a gene from another. This allows…

An instrument which, when fed information on the amino acid sequence of a protein (usually via a protein sequencer), will automatically produce polynucleotide gene segments to code for that protein.  

The insertion of genes (e.g., via retroviral vectors) into selected cells in the body in order to: cause those cells to produce specific therapeutic agents (e.g., growth hormone in livestock, factor VIII in hemophiliacs, insulin in diabetics, etc.). A potential way of curing some genetic diseases, in that the inserted gene will produce the protein…

The copying of segments (e.g., genes) within the DNA or RNA molecule. This can be done by man (e.g., polymerase chain reaction), can be caused by certain chemical carcinogens (e.g., phorbol ester), or occur naturally (e.g., in procaryotes and certain lower eucaryotes). The five primary techniques that are used by man to perform gene amplification…

A project conducted under the auspices of the United States Department of Agriculture, in concert with 16 American Universities and 20 com (maize) seed companies. This acronym stands for Germ plasm Enhancement for Maize. OEM’s intent is to cross exotic (not in current use) germ plasm with commercial maize lines in order to increase com…

Also known as exclusion chromatography. An effective technique for separating molecules (such as peptide mixtures) on the basis of size. This is accomplished by passing a solution of the molecules to be separated over a column of Sephadex®, for example; which is a polymerized carbohydrate derivative that contains tiny holes. The holes are of such…

One of three means for a protein molecule to pass between compartments within eucaryotic cells. The compartment “wall” (membrane) possesses a “sensor” (receptor) that detects the presence of a correct protein (e.g., after that protein has been synthesized in the cell’s ribosomes), then opens a “gate” (pore) in the membrane to allow that protein to…

A double-stranded DNA is said to be “gapped” when one strand is missing over a short region of the molecule. An opening or a break; an interruption in continuity. A disruption in a sealed magnetic pathway, which may consist of air or be occupied by a nonmagnetic substance. It refers to the distance between two…

A type of blood protein that plays a major role in the process of immunity (immune system response). Sometimes the term “gamma globulin” refers to a whole group of blood proteins that are known as antibodies or immunoglobulins (Ig). Most often, however, it applies to a particular immunoglobulin, designated as IgG, believed to be the…

Discovered by Rodbell and co-workers at America’s NIH, and Oilman and co-workers at the American University of Virginia-Charlottesville, during the 1970s-80s. These are proteins embedded in the surface membrane of cells. G-proteins “receive chemical signals” from outside the cell (e.g., hormones) and “pass the signal” into the cell, so that cell can “respond to the…