A soil bacterium that is capable to infect plants, transfer a piece of DNA into plant cells and induce so called crown gall tumors. The bacterium is used to deliberately transfer genetic materials and thus generate genetically modified plants.

An organic compound containing both an amine and a carboxylic acid group. They form the molecular units of a polypeptide chain, which is a protein.

The production of pharmaceuticals from a biological source in (GM) plants or animals.

The substance in the centre of long bones. It is the tissue that contains stem cells to form different types of blood cells.

Genetically modified maize that has a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The protein that is produced because of this is toxic to some insects but non-toxic to humans and other mammals.

The protein that is produced in the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and in genetically modified plants that carry the Bt gene.

The basic structural and functional unit in people and all living things. Cells contain DNA, proteins and many other biomolecules to enable the cell to function.

The outer covering of cells, consisting mostly of lipids, proteins and sometimes polysaccharides. It controls the passage of various (bio)molecules, such as for instance glucose for energy generation.

A rod-shaped structure that is formed when a long DNA molecule is folded into shape. DNA carries genetic information that is organised in genes. Chromosomes are located in the nucleus of cells. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.

A long DNA molecule that contains the hereditary information necessary for cell life. In eukaryotes the DNE is associated with histones in a condensed form.

A group of genetically identical cells or genetically identical organisms.

The code for a specific Bt toxin gene.

The international equivalent of variety.

A disease that is inheritable. The condition causes thick, sticky mucus to accumulate in the lungs, which is potential dangerous since it facilitates the propagation of pathogenic.

The jelly-like substance that fills cells. It is surrounded by the cell wall or membrane.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid and the genetic material of nearly all forms of life.

DNA is a long double-stranded molecule built from four types of nucleosides, which consist of a deoxyribose and one of the following bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or thymine (T). The DNA helix structure is held together by weak bonds between between A and T and between G and C base pairs of nucleotides. DNA carries genetic information that is organised in genes.

In genetics it means that one gene has more influence that another copy. If both genes have equal influence, the term used is 'recessive'.

The physical structure of the two strands of DNA molecule, which is similar in all organisms.

Cells in early embryos that have the potential to differentiate into all types of adult cells

A special type of protein-based molecule that catalyses (speeds up) a chemical reaction. There are many different enzymes in the cells of living organisms that are specific for usually one chemical reaction, converting a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into specific products. The protein amylase for instance helps to break down large starch molecules into its building blocks: glucose.

A protein that catalyses a specific chemical reaction in cells.

Cells (organisms) that have different functions compartmentalised in distinct cytoplasmic organelles, surrounded by a membrane. Chromosomes are for instance located in a nucleus. In contrast, in prokaryotic cells such as bacteria, all cellular functions reside in one cytoplasm.

A reproductive cell that has only half the usual number of chromosomes, a haploid sex cell. It can fuse with another gamete of the opposite sex (= fertilization) forming a zygote that develops into a new individual.

The fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. The stretch of a DNA molecule that contains the code for a specific functional product (such as a protein or RNA molecule).

The process by which the information encoded by a gene is first converted into a messenger RNA molecule and subsequently into a protein.

Spreading of genetic traits among different populations by hybridisation of their gametes. Gene flow may introduce new (forms of) genes into a population for instance by wind (pollen) or movement of individuals (introduction of exotes).

Technique to isolate a gene sized DNA fragment from an organism, possibly change it and an introduce it into an organism as an altered or new genetic trait.

Therapy involving the introduction of gene(s) into diseased cells in order to repair genetic defects.

A disorder caused by by an abnormalitiy in gene(s) or chromosome(s) that is inherited. If such a disease arises spontaneously by somatic mutation it is not inheritable, unless its probability is genetically determined.

The technique of altering the genetic code in the cells of living organisms to produce a change in appearance or function.

Test to determine whether an individual or a population group is at risk for having certain hereditary defects.

Organisms that acquired novel or modified gene(s) using laboratory techniques. Also termed transgenic, genetically engineered, genetically manipulated or recombinant organism.

The branch of biology that studies the transmission and variation of inherited characteristics in populations.

All the genetic material of a particular organism.

The entirety of an organism's hereditary information. All of the biological information that is needed by an organism to live and reproduce..

The study of all the genetic material of a particular organism. It involves mapping and determination of the DNA sequence and study of its functions.

The genetic makeup or the genetic constitution of a cell, an organism, or an individual.

The genetic contribution to the phenotype

The modification of the DNA in very early embryonic cells, so all derived body cells inherit the modification This includes the body's germ line cells, therefore any genetic change will be transmitted to an organism's offspring.

Reproductive cells that only have half the usual number of chromosomes (gametes). In animals, these are the sperm or egg, in plants the pollen and ovum.

A chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth. Selective herbicides kill specific targets (weeds) while haveing less or no effect on others (crops).

Crop plants that have been genetically modified, or obtained by traditional breeding methods, to tolerate distinct levels of herbicide applications.

The passing of genetic traits to offspring.

The transfer of genetic information between cells from different species by direct uptake of foreign genetic material and incorporation into the cells’ genome. Vertical transmission: Inheritance of a gene from parent to offspring.

The tendency for genes lying close together on the same chromosome to be inherited together.

The father of genetics and an Augustinian priest for his study of the inheritance of observable traits in pea plants.

The injection through a very fine needle of DNA into the nucleus of a cell (egg cell, embryo, or other).

A spontaneous or induced (chemicals, radiation) change in DNA sequence.

A cloning technology where the complete nucleus of a cell from a donor is placed in a reciepent egg cell, from which the nucleus had been removed. When the egg cell then developes into an embryo, it should have identical genetic properties as the donor organism.

A form of agriculture that focus on production methods without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilisers and relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control to sustain the health of soils, ecosystems and people.

The adaptation, in response to selection of individuals with genetic change(s), of a pest species to survive pesticide applications. Resistance may develop in insects, weeds, or plant pathogens.

The visible and/or measurable characteristics of an organism that are based on a combination of genetic traits (genotype) and environmental factors.

The observable traits of an organism, such as shape, color and other properties.

A self-replicating circular DNA molecule that is distinct from chromosomal DNA and found in microorganisms. It is a useful tool in gene technology since other pieces of DNA can be inserted into the molecule, further manipulated and it can be used as a vector for transfer to target organisms.

Offspring: the product of reproduction.

Evolutionary simple organisms (bacteria) without distinct cellular cytoplasmic organelles such as a nucleus, therefore the DNA molecule drifts around in the cytoplasm. In contrast: eukaryotes.

A regulatory element that specifies the start site of transcription of a gene or geneconstruct..

Proteins are synthesized in cells by ribozomes from amino acids. The large molecule are composed of one or more chains of amino acids (polypeptides). The sequence of amino acids is determined by a corresponding base sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. Proteins perform a wide variety of functions in the cell including protein catalysed (enzymes) chemical reactions, as structural components, or as signaling molecules (hormones).

Methods to cut and join DNA molecules in the laboratory. When placed in an appropriate vector (plasmid, virus, homologous DNA) and under appropriate conditions, the resulting rDNA material can be (re)introduced into cells so it will be taken up and replicated when the cell divides.

The exchange and/or rearrangement of related DNA or RNA sequences. Two molecules cross over in homologous regions and strands of genetic material are actually broken and rejoined.

Bacterial enzymes that recognizes specific, short nucleotide sequences and cut DNA at those sites.

The likelihood of a defined hazard being realized, which is the product of two probabilities: the probability of an event occurring, and the magnitude or severity of the event should it occur.

Ribonucleic acid is structurally similar to DNA. RNA passes DNA's genetic message to the cytoplasm of a cell where proteins are made. Some viruses use RNA instead of DNA as their genetic blueprint.

A genetic trait, added to a genetic construct, that provides the recipient with a growth advantage over others that did not receive the DNA molecule. Selectable markers for GM bacteria are usually genes that code for antibiotic resistance, and in GM plants herbidcide resistance genes can be used.

Careful choice of parents for making deliberate crosses or matings of organisms so the offspring has a greater chance to have received a set of desired characteristics.

gene therapy that aims to modify cells from the body tissue.

Cells of nonreproductive body tissues.

An undifferentiated cell that has the ability to divide for indefinite periods in a culture and whose daughter cells in tissues may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood, nerve, muscle cells).

Stem cells have the potential to develop into all (totipotent) or many (pluripotent) different cell types in the body.

Breeding schemes that make use of selective breeding cycles. Advanced, laboratory, methods that can be used in the process include the deliberate induction of mutations and the use of tissue culture.

A genetically determined characteristic or condition.

The synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

The process by which specially prepared cells take up and incorporate exogenous (recombinant) DNA.

Organisms that acquired novel or modified gene(s) using laboratory techniques. Also termed genetically modified, genetically engineered, genetically manipulated or recombinant organism.

Subdivision of a species for taxonomic classification. A group of individuals that are genetically identical but distinct from other groups of individuals within one species. Also termed cultivar and used mainly for plant species.

A type of DNA molecule (plasmid) or entity (virus) that can be used to transfer genetic information to target cells. Diseases or parasites can use a insects or other organisms as a means of dispersal and these intermediate hosts are also called vetors.

Small particles that can infect cells and are dependent on the biological machinery in the host cells for replication and recreation of the virus particle. Viruses consist of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) covered by protein or surrounded by a lipid membrane.

A cell formed by the union of two gametes. The fertilised egg cell, or zygote, is the initial cell formed when a new organism is produced by means of sexual reproduction.

The ComScience project is a Cooperation Action (#230470) funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme: FP7 - Capacities - Science in Society ComScience © 2009-12

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