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Bioinformatics Glossary
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(Continued from previous part...)
Map unit
A measure of genetic distance between two linked genes that corresponds
to a recombination frequency of 1%.
Markov chain
Any multivariate probability density whose independence diagram is a
chain.The variables are ordered, and each variable "depends" only on its
neighbors in the sense of being conditionally independent of the others.
Markov chains are an integral component of hidden Markov models.
Meiosis
A process within the cell nucleus that results in the reduction of the
chromosome number from diploid (two copies of each chromosome) to haploid
(a single copy) through two reductive divisions in germ cells.
Melting (of DNA)
The denaturation of double-stranded DNA into two single strands by the
application of heat. (Denaturation breaks the hydrogen bonds holding the
double-stranded DNA together).
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
The complementary RNA copy of DNA formed from a single-stranded DNA
template during transcription that migrates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm
where it is processed into a sequence carrying the information to code
for a polypeptide domain.
Methylation
The addition of -CH3 (methyl) groups to a target site. Typically such
addition occurs on to the cytosine bases of DNA. (see maternal imprinting).
Microarray
A 2D array, typically on a glass, filter, or silicon wafer, upon which
genes or gene fragments are deposited or synthesized in a predetermined
spatial order allowing them to be made available as probes in a high-throughput,
parallel manner.
Microfluidics
The miniaturization of chemical reactions or pharmacalogical assays
into microscopic tubes or vessels in order to greatly increase their throughput,
by placing many of them side-by-side in an array.
Mimetics
Compounds that mimic the function of other molecules via their high
degree of structural (conformational) similarity, and hence physio-chemical
properties.
Missense mutation
A point mutation in which one codon (triplet of bases) is changed into
another designating a different amino acid.
Mitosis
The nuclear division that results in the replication of the genetic
material and its redistribution into each of the daughter cells during
cell division.
Modeling
In bioinformatics, modeling usually refers to molecular modeling, a
process whereby the three-dimensional architecture of biological molecules
is interpreted (or predicted), visually represented, and manipulated in
order to determine their molecular properties. (general) A series of mathematical
equations or procedures which simulate a real-life process, given a set
of assumptions, boundary parameters, and initial conditions.
Monomer
A single unit of any biological molecule or macromolecule, such as an
amino acid, nucleic acid, polypeptide domain, or protein.
Monovalent
Having one binding site; strictly, an atom with only one free electron
available for binding in its highest energy shell.
Motif
A conserved element of a protein sequence alignment that usually correlates
with a particular function. Motifs are generated from a local multiple
protein sequence alignment corresponding to a region whose function or
structure is known. It is sufficient that it is conserved, and is hence
likely to be predictive of any subsequent occurrence of such a structural/functional
region in any other novel protein sequence.
Multigene family
A set of genes derived by duplication of an ancestral gene, followed
by independent mutational events resulting in a series of independent genes
either clustered together on a chromosome or dispersed throughout the genome.
Multiple (sequence) alignment
A Multiple Alignment of k sequences is a rectangular array, consisting
of characters taken from the alphabet A, that satisfies the following
conditions: There are exactly k rows; ignoring the gap character,
row number i is exactly the sequence sI; and each
column contains at least one character different from "-". In practice
multiple sequence alignments include a cost/weight function, that defines
the penalty for the insertion of gaps (the "-" character) and weights identities
and conservative substitutions accordingly. Multiple alignment algorithms
attempt to create the optimal alignment defined as the one with the lowest
cost/weight score.
Multiplex sequencing
Approach to high-throughput sequencing that uses several pooled DNA
samples run through gels simultaneously and then separated and analyzed.
Mutagen
Any agent that can cause an increase in the rate of mutations in an
organism.
Mutation
An inheritable alteration to the genome that includes genetic (point
or single base) changes, or larger scale alterations such as chromosomal
deletions or rearrangements.
(Continued on next part...)
Part:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
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