Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries

Definition

cDNA libraries are collections of complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences synthesized from mRNA templates. They are used to study gene expression and identify coding regions in genomics research.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. cDNA libraries represent only the expressed genes of an organism, as they are derived from mRNA.
2. They are essential for identifying active genes in a specific tissue or at a particular developmental stage.
3. Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme used to synthesize cDNA from mRNA.
4. cDNA libraries can be used for cloning genes and in various functional genomic studies.
5. Unlike genomic DNA libraries, cDNA libraries do not contain introns or non-coding regions.

Review Questions

• What type of genetic material is used to create cDNA libraries?
• How do cDNA libraries differ from genomic DNA libraries in terms of content?
• Which enzyme is critical for the creation of cDNA from mRNA?

Related terms

Reverse Transcriptase: An enzyme that synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template.

Genomic Library: A collection of the total genomic DNA from an organism, containing both coding and non-coding regions.

mRNA (messenger RNA): A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.