Reverse transcriptase Updated +Created
Converts RNA to DNA, i.e. the inverse of transcription. Found in viruses such as Retrovirus, which includes e.g. HIV.
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase Updated +Created
Makes RNA from RNA.
Used in Positive-strand RNA virus to replicate.
I don't think it's present outside viruses. Well regulated organisms just transcribe more DNA instead.
RNA polymerase Updated +Created
Converts DNA to RNA.
RNA-Seq Updated +Created
Sequencing the DNA tells us what the organism can do. Sequencing the RNA tells us what the organism is actually doing at a given point in time. The problem is not killing the cell while doing that. Is it possible to just take a chunk of the cell to sequence without killing it maybe?
Sequence alignment Updated +Created
Sequence alignment is trying to match a DNA or amino acid sequence, even though the sequences might not be exactly the same, otherwise it would be a straight up string-search algorithm.
This is fundamental in bioinformatics for two reasons:
Sonicator Updated +Created
These can be used to break cells apart from tissue, and also break up larger DNA or RNA molecules into smaller ones, suitable for sequencing.