Retrovirus
Retroviruses are a family of RNA viruses that replicate in a host cell through the process of reverse transcription. Upon entering a host cell, retroviruses convert their single-stranded RNA genome into double-stranded DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. This DNA can then integrate into the host cell's genome, allowing the virus to replicate along with the host's own DNA when the host cell divides.
Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) is a molecular biology technique used for the rapid amplification of RNA. It combines the principles of reverse transcription and loop-mediated isothermal amplification, allowing for the detection of RNA targets, such as viral RNA.
Reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transcription of RNA into DNA. It is primarily associated with retroviruses, such as HIV, where it plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. When a retrovirus infects a host cell, its RNA genome is reverse transcribed into DNA by reverse transcriptase. This DNA is then integrated into the host cell's genome, allowing the virus to replicate and produce new viral particles.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a laboratory technique used to amplify and detect RNA. It involves two main steps: reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 1. **Reverse Transcription**: In this first step, the enzyme reverse transcriptase is used to convert RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA). This is crucial because standard PCR requires DNA as a template, while many studies target RNA (such as mRNA, viral RNA, etc.).
Revival of the woolly mammoth
The revival of the woolly mammoth refers to scientific efforts aimed at bringing back the woolly mammoth, an extinct species that roamed the earth during the Pleistocene epoch and went extinct around 4,000 years ago. This effort is often associated with the field of de-extinction, which uses advanced genetic technologies to potentially recreate extinct species.
Rfam
Rfam is a database and resource that focuses on non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes and their families. It provides a comprehensive collection of RNA sequences, their annotations, and associated families, allowing researchers to understand the structure, function, and evolution of ncRNAs. Rfam uses a systematic approach to categorize and align these RNA sequences, enabling users to query and compare sequences to identify functional elements and relationships among different RNA families.
Ribonuclease H
Ribonuclease H (RNase H) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in RNA metabolism. It specifically recognizes and degrades RNA strands that are hybridized to DNA. This characteristic makes RNase H important for various biological processes, including DNA replication, repair, and the removal of RNA primers during DNA synthesis.
Ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) is a molecular biology technique used for the characterization and differentiation of microbial communities, particularly in ecological and environmental studies. RISA primarily focuses on the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of organisms, specifically the intergenic spacer (IGS) region found between the genes coding for ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which is highly variable among different species.
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a class of biologically active peptides that are produced by ribosomal translation of genes and subsequently undergo various post-translational modifications. ### Key Features of RiPPs: 1. **Ribosomal Synthesis**: RiPPs are encoded by genes and synthesized by ribosomes. This differentiates them from other peptides and proteins that may be synthesized via non-ribosomal pathways (e.
Ribosome-binding site
The ribosome-binding site (RBS) is a specific sequence in mRNA that is essential for the initiation of translation in prokaryotic organisms. It is typically located upstream of the start codon (AUG or other start codons) and plays a critical role in the proper positioning of the ribosome on the mRNA to ensure that protein synthesis begins correctly.
Rolling hairpin replication
Rolling hairpin replication is a mechanism of DNA replication that is primarily associated with certain types of viruses, particularly some bacteriophages and plasmids. This method involves the formation of a structure that resembles a hairpin loop, allowing for the synthesis of a new strand of DNA in a manner somewhat analogous to the more commonly known rolling circle replication.
Rotavirus translation
Rotavirus translation refers to the process by which the messenger RNA (mRNA) of the rotavirus is translated into proteins within a host cell. Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus that primarily causes gastrointestinal infections, especially in children. Here's an overview of the translation process for rotavirus: 1. **Virus Entry**: Rotavirus enters host cells, often intestinal epithelial cells, where it releases its segmented RNA genome into the cytoplasm.
Rule-based modeling
Rule-based modeling is a method used in various fields such as artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and decision-making, where systems or processes are defined based on a set of explicit rules. These rules are typically conditional statements that dictate how inputs are processed to produce outputs or guide decisions. ### Key Features of Rule-Based Modeling: 1. **Explicit Rules**: The core component of rule-based systems is a collection of if-then rules.
The SABIO-Reaction Kinetics Database is a comprehensive database that provides detailed information about reaction kinetics, including rate constants, reaction mechanisms, and experimental conditions for various chemical reactions. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers in chemistry, biochemistry, and related fields by collecting and curating data from scientific literature.
SARM1
SARM1, or SARM1 (Sterile Alpha and Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Motif Containing 1), is a protein that plays a crucial role in the process of neurodegeneration and neuronal injury, particularly in the context of peripheral nerve damage. It serves as a key mediator of axonal degeneration and is involved in signaling pathways that respond to axonal injury.
SCCmec
SCCmec, or Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec, is a mobile genetic element that carries the methicillin resistance gene (mecA) in Staphylococcus aureus, particularly in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This genetic element is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in staphylococcal infections.
SDD-AGE
SDD-AGE stands for "Sensory Driven Development for Ageing." It is a concept or approach related to the development of products, services, or technologies aimed at older adults, focusing on enhancing their sensory experiences and quality of life. The framework emphasizes understanding the sensory needs and preferences of aging populations in order to create solutions that are accessible, user-friendly, and cater to their specific requirements.
SIR proteins
SIR proteins, or Silent Information Regulators, refer to a family of proteins that play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression, particularly in the context of silencing specific genomic regions. These proteins are most well-studied in the model organism *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, or baker's yeast, where they are involved in the formation of heterochromatin and the maintenance of epigenetic states.
SNP annotation
SNP annotation refers to the process of characterizing and interpreting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are variations in a single nucleotide that occur at a specific position in the genome across individuals. SNPs are the most common type of genetic variation among people and can have significant implications for health, traits, and the risk of diseases. The primary goals of SNP annotation include: 1. **Functional Impact**: Assessing whether a SNP affects the function of a gene or regulatory region.
SNP array
An SNP array, or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism array, is a powerful and widely used genomic tool designed to detect and analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms across a genome. SNPs are variations at a single base pair in the DNA sequence among individuals, and they can play significant roles in genetic diversity, disease susceptibility, and other biological processes.