Glossary

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Pharmacogenetics

A field of research that investigates whether single genes influence the response of the body to drugs.

Pharmacogenomics

The analysis of the effect of individual's genome on drug response.

Physical map

A map showing the locations of markers on DNA.

Phytoremediation

Remediation performed by plants to remove pollution from contaminated soil or groundwater.

Plasmid

Extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules found in bacteria. Plasmids are used as cloning vectors.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)

A technique that is carried out to separate proteins or DNA molecules in a gel matrix.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A method for amplifying a specific DNA segment using a heat-stable polymerase and two primers. The procedure involves cycles of denaturation, annealing and extension.

Positional cloning

The cloning of a gene based on its location in the genome. Usually involves linking markers to the target gene.

Pribnow box

The (TATAAT) sequence in prokaryotic promoters, which is near the transcription start site.

Primary transcript

An unmodified RNA molecule transcribed from eukaryotic gene, prior to processing.

Probe

A specific labeled single-stranded DNA or RNA, used to detect the complementary sequence by hybridization.

Promoter

Specific sequence of DNA which is located upstream a gene, and acts as a control region that turn the gene on or off.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)

An electrophoresis method for separation of large pieces of DNA, by pulsing an electrical field across an agarose gel.