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Allele
A variant of a single gene, inherited at a particular genetic locus.

Amino acids
The molecular building blocks of proteins; a protein is a chair of amino acids in a certain sequence. There are 20 main amino acids, and their order determines the function of the protein they create.

Anneal
The process through which complementary single strands of DNA “recognize” each other and fuse together to form a double-stranded unit.

Art or prior art
A term used in consideration of the problem of patentable novelty encompassing all that is known prior to the filing date of the application in the particular field of the invention, represented by already issued patents and publications.

Artificial selection
Selective breeding, carried out by humans, to alter a population, most frequently used to increase the frequency of a desired trait.

Bacteriophage
A virus that infects and replicates exclusively within a bacterium, usually killing it.

cDNA
Strong, cloned copies of otherwise fragile mRNA - the essential messenger element of the genes in the DNA which help in the coding of proteins.

Chromosome
Structure in the cell nucleus that carries the DNA. At certain times in the cell cycle they are visible as string-like entities. The number of chromosomes varies from species to species. The number found in human cells is 46 (23 pairs) half of which are inherited from each parent.

Cloning
The process of molecular cloning involves isolating a DNA sequence of interest and obtaining multiple copies of it in an organism, usually a bacterium, that is capable of growth over extended periods. Large quantities of the DNA molecule can be then isolated in pure form for detailed molecular analysis. The ability to generate virtually endless copies (clones) of a particular sequence is the basis of recombinant DNA technology and its application to human and medical genetics.

Codon
A triplet of nucleotides in the DNA coding for one amino acid. The sequence of codons in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins, and therefore the structure of the protein being made.

Complementarity
In molecular biology, the relationship of the nucleotide bases on two different strands of DNA or RNA. When the bases are properly paired (adenine with thymine (DNA) or uracil (RNA), the strands are complementary.

Differentiation
The structural and functional modification of an unspecialized cell into a specialized one.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that controls inheritance.

Eugenics
Eugenics involves using principles of genetics to "improve" humankind. Though presently out of favor, the idea that this was a good thing was fairly universally accepted throughout the early part of this century.

Exon
The nucleotide sequences of some genes consist of parts that code for amino acids, with other parts that do not code for amino acids interspersed among them. The coding parts, which are translated, are called exons; the interspersed non-coding parts are called introns.

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs)
An expressed sequence tag (EST) is a small part of the active part of a gene which can be used to fish the rest of the gene out of the chromosome. While the EST itself is not “functional,” (it does not code for a protein), many researchers are attempting to obtain patents on them. Opponents of gene patenting argue that since the functions of ESTs are not known, they fail the requirements for patentable material.

Gene
A sequence of nucleotides coding for a protein (or part of a protein).

Gene fragments
Gene fragments are pieces of genes containing only the exons (those parts of the gene which actually encode the protein sequence). They are composed of cDNA.

Gene pool
All the genes in a population at a particular time.

Genome
The full set of DNA in a cell or organism.

Genotype
The set of two genes at a locus possessed by an individual.

Germ plasm
The reproductive cells in an organism; the cells that produce the gametes (sperm and egg). All the cells in an organism can be divided into the soma and the germ cells.

Germline engineering
Germline engineering (or 'enhancement') involves making "improvements" in the gametes (sperm or egg) of an organism. These changes will be passed on to subsequent generations.

Hybrid
Offspring of a cross between two species.

Hybridization
The interaction of complementary nucleic acid strands. Since DNA is a double-stranded structure held together by complementary interactions (in which the nucleotide cytosine always binds to guanine, and adenine to thymine), complementary strands favorably reanneal (join together) or “hybridize” to each other when separated.

Intron
see exon

Linked
Referring to genes located on the same chromosome.

Locus
The location in the DNA occupied by a particular gene.

Mutation
A random change in the sequence of nucleotides of the chromosome.

Non-obvious
In order for a patent to be granted, the claimed invention must be "non obvious" to one of "ordinary skill in the art". In other words, if one obtains a new and unexpected result, the invention is said to be non obvious.

Novelty
A requirement for patentability. If an invention has been used or was known to others it is probably no longer novel and therefore not eligible for patent protection.

Nucleotide
The building block of DNA. There are four basic building blocks, which are arranged in units of three called codons.

Oligonucleotides
A short polymer of, for example, 20 or so deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides; thus a fragment of DNA or RNA.

Operon
A set of functionally unified structural genes and the regulating genes that control them.

Patent
A patent is a grant issued in the name of the United States under the seal of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), that “confers the right to an applicant to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention in the United States” and its territories for 20 years from the application filing date.

Phenotype
The outward appearance or expression of an organism’s genotype.

Plasmid
A small circular form of DNA found in bacteria which carries certain genes, such as for antibiotic resistance, and which replicates independently of the host cell.

Plant patents
Plant patents are granted to any person who has invented or discovered and asexually reproduced any distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated spores, seeds, mutants, hybrids, and newly found seedlings, other than a tuber-propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state. A plant patent has a term of 20 years from the application date.

Protein
A molecule made up of a sequence of amino acids. Proteins are the most common organic molecule found in living organisms.

Recombinant DNA
 Recombinant DNA refers to DNA which has been altered by joining genetic material from two different sources. It usually involves putting a gene from one organism into the genome of a different organism, generally of a different species.

Restriction endonuclease
An enzyme that will recognize, bind to and hydrolyze (break apart) specific nucleic acid sequences in double-stranded DNA.

Reverse transcriptase
An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of DNA from using RNA as a template.

Soma
The mortal cell lines in a body. See germ plasm.

Terminator gene
A gene specifically inserted into a plant which programs the plant's seeds to sterilize
themselves by destroying their own embryos.

Transposable elements, or transposons
Units of DNA that move from one DNA molecule to another, inserting themselves at random. Can also catalyze DNA rearrangements (mutations) such as deletions and inversions.

Utility patents
Utility patents are granted to anyone who invents or discovers a new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or compositions of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. A Utility patent has a term of 20 years from the application date.

Vector
An agent, often a virus or plasmid, used to carry foreign DNA into a cell.