oligonucleotide

noun

ol·​i·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide ə-ˌli-gə-ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

-ˈnyü-

: a short nucleic-acid chain usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides

Examples of oligonucleotide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Humans could, in theory, one day use scaling laws to extend our lifespans. ▸ 7 min — with Geoffrey West Health Penn scientists correct genetic blindness with single injection into the eye Antisense oligonucleotide therapy uses small molecules to alter RNA. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Currently medical efforts to target ncRNAs and alter their regulatory effects often use RNA strings called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). —Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

This one, known as an antisense oligonucleotide, is designed to prevent cells from making a protein that's central to the disease. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 15 May 2024

Carrillo pointed to a recent paper describing a Phase 1 trial of a different kind of genetic tool called an antisense oligonucleotide, or ASO, in Alzheimer’s as an example of how researchers are leveraging emerging technologies. —Andrew Joseph, STAT, 16 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oligonucleotide

noun

oli·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide -ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

: a relatively short single-stranded nucleic-acid chain (as an oligodeoxynucleotide or oligoribonucleotide) usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides