Immunomagnetic separation
Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) is a technique used to isolate and purify specific cells, microorganisms, or substances from a heterogeneous mixture using magnetic particles coated with antibodies. This method leverages the specificity of antibodies to bind to target antigens, allowing for the selective separation of the desired entities from a sample. ### Key Components of Immunomagnetic Separation: 1. **Magnetic Particles**: Small beads or particles that are often made of iron oxide or other magnetic materials.
Immunosequencing
Immunosequencing is a high-throughput technology used to analyze and characterize immune receptors, specifically antibodies and T-cell receptors (TCRs), at a genomic level. This method allows researchers to obtain detailed information about the diversity, repertoire, and clonality of immune cells, which is crucial for understanding immune responses, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Indel
An "indel" is a term used in genetics to refer to a type of genetic mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotide bases in a DNA sequence. The word "indel" is a portmanteau of “insertion” and “deletion.” Indels can vary in size, ranging from a single nucleotide to larger segments of DNA. They can have significant effects on gene function and protein production, potentially leading to various genetic disorders or diseases.
An "Index of Molecular Biology Articles" typically refers to a curated list or database of research articles, reviews, and papers focused on topics within molecular biology. This index can serve several purposes: 1. **Organization**: It helps researchers and students find relevant literature for their studies by categorizing articles based on various criteria such as topic, author, date of publication, journal, etc.
Initiation factor
Initiation factors are proteins that play a crucial role in the initiation phase of translation, which is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA). The initiation phase is the first step in translation, setting the stage for the assembly of the ribosome, the binding of mRNA, and the recruitment of transfer RNA (tRNA) carrying amino acids.
Insert (molecular biology)
In molecular biology, an "insert" refers to a segment of DNA or RNA that is introduced into a vector (such as a plasmid or viral genome) during the process of cloning or genetic engineering. The insert typically contains a gene or a sequence of interest that researchers want to study, manipulate, or express in a host organism.
Insertion sequence
Insertion sequences (IS) are a type of simple transposable element found in prokaryotic genomes, particularly in bacteria. They are short DNA sequences that can move (transpose) from one location in the genome to another, a process known as transposition. Insertion sequences play a significant role in genetic variability, evolution, and the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacterial populations.
The insulin signal transduction pathway is a series of biochemical events that occur in response to insulin binding to its receptor on the surface of target cells. This pathway plays a crucial role in regulating various metabolic processes, including glucose uptake, lipid metabolism, and protein synthesis.
Interactome
The term "interactome" refers to the comprehensive network of molecular interactions within a cell. It encompasses all the interactions that occur between various biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and small molecules. The interactome is a key component of systems biology and is essential for understanding the complex biochemical processes that underpin cellular function.
Intergenic region
An intergenic region is a section of DNA that lies between genes. These regions do not code for proteins or RNA products, meaning they are not transcribed into mRNA. However, intergenic regions can play important roles in gene regulation and genome organization. Intergenic regions can contain various elements such as: 1. **Regulatory Sequences**: These can include promoters, enhancers, silencers, and insulators that help control the expression of nearby genes.
Internal control region
An internal control region (ICR) is a segment of DNA that regulates the expression of nearby genes. It plays a crucial role in gene transcription, ensuring that genes are expressed at the right levels and at the right times within a cell. Internal control regions can contain various elements, such as enhancers, silencers, and promoter regions, which interact with transcription factors and other regulatory proteins to modulate gene expression.
The International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMPRS-MCB) is a prestigious graduate program that is part of the Max Planck Society, a renowned institution in Germany known for its cutting-edge research in various fields of science. The IMPRS-MCB is designed to provide advanced education and training for students pursuing a PhD in the areas of molecular and cellular biology.
The International Molecular Exchange Consortium (IMEx) is a collaborative initiative aimed at sharing and exchanging molecular interaction data among various biological databases. Founded in 2003, IMEx promotes the standardization and integration of data related to protein-protein interactions, which are crucial for understanding biological processes and pathways. The consortium includes multiple member databases that adhere to specific guidelines for data sharing and curation.
The International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC) is a partnership among three major nucleotide sequence databases: the GenBank database in the United States, the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) in Europe, and the DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ). The collaboration was established to ensure the comprehensive and global capture, maintenance, and accessibility of nucleotide sequence data.
Interrupted gene
An "interrupted gene" is a term typically used in genetics to refer to a gene that is split into segments by non-coding regions called introns. In eukaryotic organisms, genes are often composed of exons (the coding sequences that will be expressed as proteins) and introns (the non-coding sequences that are interspersed within the gene).
Intrinsic termination
Intrinsic termination refers to a process in molecular biology, particularly in the context of transcription, where RNA synthesis is terminated naturally without the need for additional factors or signals. This type of termination occurs when the RNA polymerase encounters specific sequences in the DNA that induce the formation of a stable structure in the newly synthesized RNA molecule, leading to the release of the RNA transcript.
Intron-encoded endonuclease I-SceI is a specific type of enzyme that belongs to a class of proteins known as homing endonucleases. It is derived from the mitochondrial DNA of certain species of fungi, particularly the yeast *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* (baker's yeast), where it is encoded within an intron of a larger gene.
Inverse Polymerase Chain Reaction (Inverse PCR or iPCR) is a molecular biology technique used to amplify a specific DNA segment that is flanked by known sequences, particularly when the region of interest has unknown boundaries. This technique is especially useful for cloning and analyzing DNA sequences adjacent to a known sequence, such as identifying genomic locations or studying gene structures.
Inverted repeat
In molecular biology, an inverted repeat refers to a specific sequence of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA) that is repeated in reverse order. In other words, an inverted repeat consists of a sequence followed by the reverse complement of that same sequence.
Ion semiconductor sequencing
Ion semiconductor sequencing is a next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology that allows for the rapid and cost-effective processing of DNA sequences. Developed by Ion Torrent, this method differs from traditional sequencing techniques, such as those based on optical detection, by using a semiconductor chip to directly measure the release of hydrogen ions that occur during DNA polymerization. Here's a breakdown of how Ion semiconductor sequencing works: 1. **Library Preparation**: DNA samples are fragmented and adapters are ligated to the ends of the fragments.