cDNA

American  

1. complementary DNA: a DNA molecule that is complementary to a specific messenger RNA.

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cDNA British  

abbreviation

1. complementary DNA; a form of DNA artificially synthesized from a messenger RNA template and used in genetic engineering to produce gene clones

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cDNA Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of complementary DNA

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Etymology

Origin of cDNA

First recorded in 1985–90

Compare meaning

How does cdna compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cDNA vs. DNA

Example Sentences

An EST is a short STS that is identified with cDNA libraries, while SSLPs are obtained from known genetic markers and provide a link between genetic maps and physical maps.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The HGH gene was cloned from a cDNA library and inserted into E. coli cells by cloning it into a bacterial vector.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The primer tries to connect itself to cDNA from the virus and make a copy.

From Scientific American • Mar. 28, 2022

The Supreme Court ruled that the company could patent synthetically created cDNA because it was not natural, but could not patent the isolated human genes.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2021

We predicted a set of genes in the T. urartu genome using evidence-based Gramene pipeline8 by combining protein, cDNA, EST and RNA-seq evidence.

From Nature • May 8, 2018