cDNA

American  

1. complementary DNA: a DNA molecule that is complementary to a specific messenger RNA.

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cDNA British  

abbreviation

1. complementary DNA; a form of DNA artificially synthesized from a messenger RNA template and used in genetic engineering to produce gene clones

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cDNA Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of complementary DNA

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Etymology

Origin of cDNA

First recorded in 1985–90

Compare meaning

How does cdna compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cDNA vs. DNA

Example Sentences

After the cDNA is made, regular PCR can be used to amplify it.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The HGH gene was cloned from a cDNA library and inserted into E. coli cells by cloning it into a bacterial vector.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The primer tries to connect itself to cDNA from the virus and make a copy.

From Scientific American • Mar. 28, 2022

The Supreme Court ruled that the company could patent synthetically created cDNA because it was not natural, but could not patent the isolated human genes.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2021

For Ptychodera, extensive EST data from egg, blastulae, gastrulae, larvae, juveniles, adult proboscis, stomochord, and gills defining 34,159 cDNA clones53, and 879,000 Roche/454 RNAseq reads from a mixed library of developmental stages54 were used.

From Nature • Nov. 17, 2015