trimer

noun

tri·​mer ˈtrī-mər How to pronounce trimer (audio)
: a polymer formed from three molecules of a monomer
trimeric adjective

Examples of trimer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Spike is an intertwined trimer of three S proteins. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2022 Structurally, the antibody locks two of the trimer’s three receptor-binding domains in the open configuration while the remaining binding domains remain closed. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 For example, a SARS-CoV-2 camelid nanobody binds across the receptor-binding domain in such a way that the trimer’s receptor-binding domains remain in the closed configuration. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 The looser trimer stem helix bundle in MERS-CoV and cold-causing coronaviruses was unraveled during binding, allowing a clearer picture during cryo-electron microscopy (Figure 4). William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 19 May 2021 On the other hand, the V nanobody improves the ability of V+E to bind by stabilizing the receptor-binding domain in the two-up position, allowing the E nanobody a better opportunity to bind and prematurely activate the trimer. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 5 May 2021 Graham, who worked on pancoronavirus vaccines even before the pandemic, reasons that the whole trimer of spike might stimulate better or broader immune protection than just the RBDs. Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 15 Apr. 2021 Each clump is actually three individual proteins hooked together to form a trimer (polymer). Scientific American, 8 July 2012 Grimm’s team observed a second Efimov trimer made of cesium atoms, reporting the results May 12 in Physical Review Letters. Quanta Magazine, 27 May 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trimer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trimer was circa 1930

Dictionary Entries Near trimer

Cite this Entry

“Trimer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trimer. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

trimer

noun
tri·​mer ˈtrī-mər How to pronounce trimer (audio)
: a polymer formed from three molecules of a monomer
trimeric adjective
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