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microsatellite

British

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈsætəˌlaɪt /

noun

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

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

Rate and pattern of mutation at microsatellite loci in maize.

From Nature • Mar. 13, 2018

In the data set represented in our report, we used 19 microsatellite loci, and all paternity assignments were at 95% confidence.

From Science Magazine • May 2, 2013

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

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