- Cloning
The use of a single somatic (non-reproductive) cell from an individual to produce another genetically identical individual.
See also: Nuclear Transfer, Somatic Cell.
- Cryopreservation
Preservation by subjection to extremely low temperatures.
- Culture
The process or technique of making body tissue or embryos grow in a culture medium outside the organism.
- DNA
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.
- DNA microarray
A supporting material (such as a glass or plastic slide) onto which numerous fragments of DNA are attached in a regular pattern for use in genetic analysis.
- Donor animal
The animal whose DNA is used to produce a clone. Also called Genetic Donor.
- Embryo transfer
Implantation of an embryo into the oviduct or uterus of a recipient female animal.
- Epigenetic
Relating to, being, or involving changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence. Epigenesis is the development of an animal from an egg through a series of processes in which unorganized cell masses differentiate into organs and organ systems.
See also: Gene Function.
- Gene
A gene is the basic unit of heredity. It’s a short piece of DNA—specifically, a sequence of nucleotides—that tells the body how to build a particular protein. The combination of all genes makes up the blueprint for an animal’s body and its functions.
- Gene Banking
The cryopreservation of DNA for possible later use in cloning; this can be accomplished using a small biopsy sample provided by the client or the client’s veterinarian.
See also: Cryopreservation.
- Gene Function
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.
- Genetic Donor
See Donor Animal.
- Genetics
A branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms.
See also: Gene.
- Genomics
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).
- Marker Assisted Breeding
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.
- Nuclear Transfer
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.
See also: DNA, Somatic Cell.
- Somatic Cell
Any cell in the body other than an egg or sperm cell.
- Transgenic
Transgenic animals or plants are produced by adding or removing genes, or by altering the expression of their existing genes.