ViaGen » Glossary

Transgenic

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:12:04 +0000

Transgenic animals or plants are produced by adding or removing genes, or by altering the expression of their existing genes.

Somatic Cell

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:11:00 +0000

Any cell in the body other than an egg or sperm cell.

Nuclear Transfer

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:10:41 +0000

The process by which all of the chromosomal DNA is removed from an egg cell and replaced with the nucleus containing all of the chromosomal DNA from a donor somatic or non-reproductive cell. Fusion between the egg cell and the donor somatic nucleus results in a new cell that gains a complete set of chromosomes derived entirely from the donor nucleus.

Marker Assisted Breeding

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:10:22 +0000

The use of markers to follow the inheritance of genes, particularly those genes that cannot be readily identified. Selection of a marker flanking a gene of interest allows selection for the presence (or absence) of a gene in progeny.

Genomics

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:10:06 +0000

The study of an organism’s genome and the function of the genes; ViaGen’s genomic services include breed identification (such as confirmation that cattle sold as “Angus,” which command a higher price in the marketplace, actually possess the genetic characteristics of that breed) and parentage verification (identification of the parents of an individual animal, or confirmation that the alleged parents are the true parents).

Genetics

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:09:48 +0000

A branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms.

DNA

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:06:03 +0000

Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-replication. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics.

Genetic Donor

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:05:44 +0000

See Donor Animal.

Cloning

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:05:13 +0000

The use of a single somatic (non-reproductive) cell from an individual to produce another genetically identical individual.

Gene Function

ViaGen — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:02:59 +0000

The jobs that a gene does or the “abilities” that it has, such as transporting things, binding to things, holding things together and transforming things.