complementary DNA

[kom-pluh-men-tuh-ree dee-en-ahy]

noun

1. cDNA.

complementary DNA

noun

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

complementary DNA

1. Single-stranded DNA synthesized in the laboratory using messenger RNA as a template and the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Complementary DNA is used for many purposes such as mapping chromosomes, creating clones, and sequencing genes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of complementary DNA¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Using complementary DNA base-pair interactions, the system functions like a fish biting a hook, forming a catch bond.

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The 'DNA origami' technique uses the specific interactions between complementary DNA base pairs to build dynamic 3D nano-objects.

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The unique ability of complementary DNA sequences to recognize and assemble as duplexes is the biochemical mechanism for how genes are read and copied.

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The samples would be warmed up again, and enzymes would get to work building off those primers to finish replicating the complementary DNA sequences.

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Then, they added enzymes and DNA bases to the slice to translate each mRNA into a complementary DNA strand.

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