Molecular breeding
Molecular breeding is a set of advanced techniques used in plant and animal breeding that leverages molecular biology, genomics, and biotechnological tools to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of developing new varieties with desirable traits. It combines traditional breeding methods with molecular techniques to improve the selection process and accelerate the breeding cycle. Key components of molecular breeding include: 1. **Molecular Markers**: These are specific DNA sequences that are associated with particular traits (like disease resistance, drought tolerance, or yield).
Molecular ecology
Molecular ecology is a field of study that combines the principles of ecology and molecular biology to understand the relationships between organisms and their environments at a molecular level. It typically involves the use of molecular techniques to examine genetic variation, gene flow, population structure, and evolutionary processes among populations and species. Key areas of focus in molecular ecology include: 1. **Genetic Diversity**: Assessing genetic variation within and between populations to understand how diversity influences population dynamics, survival, and adaptability.
Molecular fragmentation methods
Molecular fragmentation methods refer to a set of techniques used in computational chemistry and molecular modeling to break down complex molecules into smaller, more manageable parts or fragments. This can be useful for various purposes, including understanding molecular structure, predicting properties, and simplifying calculations in simulations and analyses. Here are some key aspects and applications of molecular fragmentation methods: 1. **Simplification of Complex Systems**: Large biological molecules, such as proteins, or small organic compounds can be complex to study as a whole.
NlaIII
NlaIII is a restriction enzyme, which is an endonuclease that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences in DNA and cleaves the DNA at or near these sites. Specifically, NlaIII recognizes the palindromic sequence "G***C" and cuts between the G and C nucleotides, yielding specific DNA fragments. Restriction enzymes like NlaIII are widely used in molecular biology for cloning, DNA manipulation, and various genetic engineering applications.
Laboratory Life
"Laboratory Life" is a well-known book written by sociologists Barry Barnes and David Bloor, first published in 1976. It is a foundational text in the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The book explores the social processes underlying scientific practice, particularly focusing on how scientific knowledge is constructed within laboratory settings. Barnes and Bloor investigate the interactions among scientists, the tools and instruments used in laboratories, and the institutional contexts that shape scientific research.
Microbial dark matter
Microbial dark matter refers to the vast and largely unexplored diversity of microorganisms that exist in various environmental habitats but remain largely uncultivated and uncharacterized in laboratories. This term emphasizes the fact that, while we have a substantial understanding of certain microbial species, the majority of microbial diversity, particularly those that cannot be cultured using standard laboratory techniques, remains poorly defined in terms of taxonomy, function, and ecological roles.
Microscale thermophoresis
Microscale thermophoresis (MST) is a biophysical technique used to study molecular interactions, particularly at the level of proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. It measures the movement of molecules in response to a temperature gradient, which is known as thermophoresis. The technique is particularly useful for analyzing binding interactions, thermodynamic properties, and conformational changes in biomolecules.
Microtubule-associated protein
Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are a diverse group of proteins that interact with microtubules, which are structural components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. Microtubules are cylindrical structures made of tubulin protein dimers and play crucial roles in various cellular processes, including maintaining cell shape, enabling intracellular transport, and facilitating cell division.
Molecular phenotyping
Molecular phenotyping is a process that involves the characterization of biological molecules in order to understand the phenotypic expression of organisms at a molecular level. This approach combines aspects of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular features associated with specific phenotypes, such as disease states, developmental stages, or responses to environmental changes.
Molecular probe
A molecular probe is a chemical species that can bind to a specific target molecule to help identify, quantify, or visualize it. These probes are commonly used in various fields such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and medical diagnostics. There are several types of molecular probes, including: 1. **Fluorescent Probes**: These probes emit light when excited by specific wavelengths and are used to label molecules in live cells or tissues for imaging purposes.
Monopolin
Monopolin is a drug that has been studied for its potential use in treating certain medical conditions, particularly in the area of oncology and inflammation. It is known for its properties in inhibiting specific proteins or pathways associated with tumor growth or inflammatory responses. However, detailed information regarding its specific applications, mechanisms, and research results may vary and should be consulted from scientific literature or clinical trial data for the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of its effects and uses.
Multilocus sequence typing
Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a molecular typing method used to characterize bacterial isolates or other microbial species by analyzing the sequences of multiple housekeeping genes. This technique helps in understanding the genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships of microorganisms. ### Key Features of MLST: 1. **Housekeeping Genes**: MLST typically targets 5 to 7 conserved and universally distributed housekeeping genes.
NASBA (molecular biology)
NASBA stands for Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification, which is a technique used in molecular biology for amplifying RNA targets. It is similar to the more widely known polymerase chain reaction (PCR) but is specifically designed for RNA rather than DNA. The NASBA method utilizes a combination of reverse transcription and amplification steps that occur at a constant temperature, which makes it particularly suitable for detecting RNA viruses and for applications where isothermal conditions are preferred.
NMNAT3
NMNAT3, or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenyltransferase 3, is an enzyme that plays a role in the synthesis of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a crucial coenzyme involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production, DNA repair, and cell signaling. NMNAT3 specifically catalyzes the conversion of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to NAD, utilizing ATP as a phosphate donor.
Nano Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (nano-DSF) is a biophysical technique used to study the thermal stability and folding behavior of biomolecules, particularly proteins. This method combines differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorescence measurements, enabling researchers to gather insights into protein stability and interactions with ligands or other molecules.
Sokal affair
The Sokal Affair was a prominent intellectual controversy that took place in the mid-1990s. It involved physicist Alan Sokal, who submitted a deliberately nonsensical article to a cultural studies journal, *Social Text*, to test the boundaries of what is considered acceptable scholarship in certain areas of the humanities.
Neighbor-net
Neighbor-net is a computational method used in phylogenetics to construct phylogenetic networks, which represent the evolutionary relationships among a set of species or sequences. Unlike traditional tree-based representations, which assume that evolution occurs in a strictly branching fashion, Neighbor-net can accommodate more complex evolutionary histories that may include events such as hybridization, horizontal gene transfer, or reticulate evolution.
Nesfatin-1
Nesfatin-1 is a protein that is derived from the precursor molecule NEFA (nucleobindin-2). It is primarily known for its role in regulating appetite and energy homeostasis. Nesfatin-1 is produced in various tissues, including the hypothalamus, which is a key brain region involved in hunger and satiety. Research has indicated that nesfatin-1 can decrease food intake and promote feelings of fullness (satiety).
Restriction map
A restriction map is a representation of the arrangement of restriction enzyme cut sites within a DNA molecule. It provides information about the locations where specific restriction enzymes cleave the DNA, thus allowing researchers to understand the structure and organization of the DNA at a granular level. Key aspects of restriction maps include: 1. **Restriction Enzymes**: These are proteins that recognize specific short DNA sequences and cut the DNA at those sites. Each enzyme has a unique recognition sequence.
Restriction modification system
The restriction-modification (R-M) system is a biological mechanism found in many bacteria and archaea that serves as a defense against foreign DNA, such as that from viruses (bacteriophages) or plasmids. The system is composed of two main components: 1. **Restriction Enzymes (Restriction endonucleases)**: These enzymes scan DNA for specific sequences (restriction sites) and cut the DNA at or near these sites.