genetic code
nounDefinition of genetic code
: the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to be uniform for nearly all known forms of life
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Although the human genome had been mapped almost a decade earlier, the practice of systematically scouring patients’ entire genetic code to find the culprit had yet to become routine. — Wired, "One Scientist’s Quest to Bring DNA Sequencing to Every Sick Kid," 30 Aug. 2019 Romesberg made his name creating a pair of novel DNA bases, dubbed X and Y, that expanded the naturally occurring, four-letter alphabet that comprises the genetic code. — Meredith Wadman, Science | AAAS, "Star scientist out at Scripps Research," 9 Aug. 2019 Floyd Romesberg and colleagues from Scripps Research created bacteria with artificial DNA, expanding the genetic code from four letters to six. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Star scientist leaves Scripps Research under mysterious circumstances," 8 Aug. 2019 Researchers studying the genetic code have gradually determined that its codon-amino acid assignments are decidedly not random. — Quanta Magazine, "Is a Bigger Genetic Code Better? Get Ready to Find Out," 2 Jan. 2018 The findings, along with similar work on elephants, suggest that somewhere, hiding in the genetic code and evolutionary history of large mammals, there could be a new cancer treatment for humans. — Doug Johnson, Quartz, "Elephants and whales could give us the cure for cancer—unless we keep killing them," 14 Aug. 2019 To test it, the zoo keepers compared the DNA of the mother and her daughter, and analyzed the genetic material in 14 places along their genetic codes, or microsatellites. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Without the help of any male, this female lizard became pregnant alone and gave birth," 7 June 2019 Extavour’s special expertise is in tracking the development of germ cells, the cells created in an embryo that contain the genetic code for reproducing multicellular organisms. — Peter Byrne, Quanta Magazine, "Debating the Evolution of Multicellularity," 25 Sep. 2013 The surge in aDNA data is due to cheaper, faster methods for reading genetic code, as well as the discovery three years ago that the dense petrous bone of the inner ear can preserve up to 100 times more aDNA than other skeletal parts. — Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, "State of Science: Ancient DNA Starts Answering Archaeology's Big Questions," 1 Jan. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic code.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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