RIBOTYPING Meaning and
Definition
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Ribotyping is a molecular biology technique used to identify and classify bacteria based on the variation in their ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences. It involves the process of extracting the bacterial ribosomal RNA from the organism, followed by the enzymatic fragmentation of the RNA into smaller fragments. These fragments are then separated and visualized using gel electrophoresis or other molecular methods.
The primary target for ribotyping is the 16S or 23S rRNA gene, which contains highly conserved regions interspersed with variable regions. These variable regions are unique to different species or strains of bacteria, thus providing a basis for their differentiation. By comparing the banding patterns obtained from different isolates, scientists can discern the relatedness or genetic variation among bacterial strains.
Ribotyping is commonly used in clinical microbiology and epidemiology to identify and investigate bacterial outbreaks, define genetic relationships between different isolates, and trace the transmission of bacterial infections within hospitals or communities. It also finds applications in the field of food safety, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.
The advantages of ribotyping include its high discriminatory power, reproducibility, and ability to discriminate between closely related bacterial strains. However, it has limitations, such as the inability to detect genetic variations outside the ribosomal RNA regions and its reliance on a reference database for comparison.
In summary, ribotyping is a valuable tool in bacterial characterization and classification, enabling the understanding of bacterial populations, their spread, and their association with specific diseases or environmental niches.
Common Misspellings for RIBOTYPING
Etymology of RIBOTYPING
The word "Ribotyping" is derived from two main components: "ribosome" and "typing".
1. Ribosome: The term "ribosome" comes from the combination of "ribo-" and "-some". "Ribo-" refers to ribonucleic acid or RNA, a type of nucleic acid present in all living cells that plays a vital role in protein synthesis. "-some" is a common suffix used to indicate a body or group of something. Therefore, a ribosome is a cellular organelle composed of RNA and proteins responsible for protein synthesis.
2. Typing: The word "typing" originates from the verb "type", which means to designate, identify, or classify something. In the context of genetics or microbiology, "typing" refers to the process of classifying or categorizing organisms based on specific characteristics or markers.
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