Definition of tandem repeat
: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Recent Examples of tandem repeat from the Web
-
Instead of sequencing whole genes as cutting-edge academic research labs often do, forensics labs look for something called short tandem repeats (STR).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tandem repeat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of tandem repeat
1973
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of tandem repeat
: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
- Although certain of these repetitive sequences are scattered throughout the DNA, others are reiterated many times in a row, so that they resemble the DNA equivalent of a stutter. These tandem repeats are usually found in critical regions, notably in the centromere …
- —Robert K. Moyzis, Scientific American, August 1991
- The DNA fingerprint technique is based on the existence of regions of DNA that are made up of tandem repeats …
- —Roger Levin, Science, 1 Aug. 1986
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up tandem repeat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
