Genome Glossary and Acronyms

Imprinting

A phenomenon in which the disease phenotype depends on which parent passed on the disease gene. For instance, both Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes are inherited when the same part of chromosome 15 is missing. When the father's complement of 15 is missing, the child has Prader-Willi, but when the mother's complement of 15 is missing, the child has Angelman syndrome.

In situ hybridization

Use of a DNA or RNA probe to detect the presence of the complementary DNA sequence in cloned bacterial or cultured eukaryotic cells.

In vitro

Studies performed outside a living organism such as in a laboratory.

In vivo

Studies carried out in living organisms.

Independent assortment

During meiosis each of the two copies of a gene is distributed to the germ cells independently of the distribution of other genes.
See also: linkage

Informatics

See: bioinformatics

Informed consent

An individual willingly agrees to participate in an activity after first being advised of the risks and benefits.
See also: privacy

Inherit

In genetics, to receive genetic material from parents through biological processes.

Inherited

See: inherit

Insertion

A chromosome abnormality in which a piece of DNA is incorporated into a gene and thereby disrupts the gene's normal function.
See also: chromosome,DNA,gene,mutation

Insertional mutation

See: insertion

Intellectual property rights

Patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
See also: patent

Interference

One crossover event inhibits the chances of another crossover event. Also known as positive interference. Negative interference increases the chance of a second crossover.
See also: crossing over

Interphase

The period in the cell cycle when DNA is replicated in the nucleus; followed by mitosis.

Intron

DNA sequence that interrupts the protein-coding sequence of a gene; an intron is transcribed into RNA but is cut out of the message before it is translated into protein.
See also: exon

Isoenzyme

An enzyme performing the same function as another enzyme but having a different set of amino acids. The two enzymes may function at different speeds.

Updated 26-Apr-07