OLIGOS Meaning and
Definition
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Oligos are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that are typically made up of 10 to 100 nucleotide bases. They are often used in molecular biology and genetic research as tools for various applications due to their versatility and specificity in binding to complementary nucleotide sequences.
In the field of genetics and genomics, oligos are widely employed in techniques such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), DNA sequencing, and gene synthesis. They can act as primers or probes to amplify or detect specific DNA segments, respectively. Oligos used as primers usually have a defined starting point and length, and they provide a template for DNA polymerase to synthesize new DNA strands in PCR. On the other hand, oligo probes are often labeled with fluorescent tags or other detectable molecules and are designed to hybridize with target DNA sequences to identify and quantify them.
Additionally, oligos play a crucial role in gene synthesis, where short DNA fragments are sequentially assembled to synthesize longer DNA sequences. This technique is commonly used in genetic engineering and synthetic biology to create custom-designed genes or modify existing ones.
Overall, oligos are indispensable tools in molecular biology due to their ability to selectively bind to specific DNA or RNA sequences. Their high specificity, stability, and ease of synthesis make them essential for a variety of genetic techniques, enabling researchers to investigate and manipulate genetic material with precision and accuracy.
Common Misspellings for OLIGOS
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