= Unique molecular identifier
A <unique molecular identifier> is a short sequence tag attached so that observations derived from the same original <molecule> can be grouped. It helps distinguish amplification duplicates from independently captured templates. If two originals receive the same tag, a collision can merge them; sequence errors can instead split one tag into several apparent groups. The tag space, assignment method and error correction therefore limit molecule-count accuracy. <Counting absolute numbers of molecules using unique molecular identifiers by Teemu Kivioja and others>[Kivioja and others, 2012, molecular tagging and counting principle]{ref}
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