Biosafety Guidelines For Research On Genetically Modified ...

APPENDIX 20: GLOSSARY
Note: Words are defined in this Glossary according to the use they have in these
Guidelines
Agrobacterium
tumefaciens
amphotropic retrovirus
amplify
autoclave
AVA
bacterium
bacteriophage
baculovirus
biological safety
cabinet/biosafety cabinet
cell
characterised DNA
chromosome
clone
conjugative plasmid
construct
A bacterium which infects plants and contains a plasmid
(q.v.) that can be used to introduce foreign DNA into plant
cells.
A retrovirus (q.v.) that will grow in the cells from which it
was isolated and also in cells from a wide range of other
species.
To increase the number of copies of a gene or DNA
sequence
A device in which materials are sterilised using steam
under high pressure.
Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
A single-celled prokaryotic ( q.v.) organism.
A virus that infects bacteria; also called phage.
A group of viruses that infect insects and can be used as
vectors (q.v.) to produce foreign proteins in insect cells.
Specially constructed cabinets which are designed to
protect workers and the environment from dangerous
agents, especially bacteria and viruses.
The smallest structural unit of living organisms that is able
to grow and reproduce independently.
DNA which has been sequenced and for which there is an
understanding of the gene products.
A structure in the cell, consisting of DNA and proteins, that
carries the organism’s genes.
As a noun: a group of genes, cells or organism derived
from a common ancestor and genetically identical. As a
verb: to generate replicas of DNA sequences or whole
cells using genetic manipulation techniques.
A plasmid ( q.v.) which codes for its own transfer between
bacterial cells by the process of conjugation (‘mating’).
As a noun: genetically manipulated DNA.
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