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microsatellite

British  
/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈsætəˌlaɪt /

noun

  1. genetics a section of DNA consisting of very short nucleotide sequences repeated many times, the number of repeats varying between members of the species: used as a marker in determining genetic diversity, identifying important genetic traits, and in forensics, population studies, and paternity studies

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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In 2025, the Jinan-1 microsatellite pushed this work further by establishing a 12,900 km quantum connection between China and South Africa.

From Science Daily Dec. 17, 2025

Henson and her colleagues then used microsatellite DNA markers—regions of the genome that change frequently compared with other sections—to determine how related the bears were to each other.

From Science Magazine Aug. 13, 2021

The first Electron mission from Wallops will entail launching an experimental microsatellite for the US Air Force as part of the agency’s Space Test Program.

From The Verge Dec. 12, 2019

Genetic material in hand, they used a powerful microsatellite array - an analysis of unique repeating sequences of DNA - to identify the number of males that sired the females' young.

From New York Times Feb. 6, 2013

Information on sequencing and bioinformatics includes methods for DNA isolation; library construction and genomic sequencing; sequence read alignment; SNP, microsatellite and transposable element identification; genotypes for assurance of sample identity; and Wolbachia detection.

From Nature Feb. 8, 2012

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