Morpholino
Morpholino
Morpholino (pronunciation: mor-pho-li-no) is a type of molecule used in molecular biology to modify gene expression.
Etymology
The term "Morpholino" is derived from the chemical structure of these molecules, which contain morpholine rings - a chemical structure composed of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon atoms.
Definition
A Morpholino is a synthetic molecule that is used to bind to specific sequences of RNA. By binding to RNA, Morpholinos can block certain processes that would normally occur, such as splicing or translation. This allows scientists to study the function of specific genes by observing what happens when those genes are "turned off".
Usage
Morpholinos are commonly used in research to study gene function. They are particularly useful in the study of zebrafish development, as they can be used to knock down gene expression in a temporally and spatially controlled manner.
Related Terms
- Gene Expression: The process by which information from a gene is used to create a functional product, such as a protein.
- RNA: A molecule similar to DNA that plays a crucial role in the process of gene expression.
- Morpholine: A heterocyclic organic compound that is used in the synthesis of Morpholinos.
- Zebrafish: A species of fish that is commonly used in biological research due to its transparent embryos and rapid development.
See Also
- Antisense Oligonucleotides: Short DNA or RNA molecules that can bind to specific sequences of RNA and prevent them from being translated into protein.
- Gene Knockdown: A technique used in molecular biology to reduce the expression of a specific gene.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Morpholino
- Wikipedia's article - Morpholino
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