Archives: Glossary
Adaptive immunity is the body’s specialised defence system that targets harmful foreign substances, such as bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. It is often called specific immunity, as it produces a targeted response towards specific threats. This system takes longer to respond than our non-specific immunity (innate immunity) but provides long-lasting protection against specific threats. Adaptive […]
An antibody is a protein produced by activated B-cells, a type of immune cell, in response to an antigen – a foreign substance in the body that poses a threat. Antibodies bind to specific antigens, like a key fitting into a lock, to help neutralise or eliminate threats. Antibodies are a type of immunoglobulin and […]
Any substance that triggers the body’s immune response against it and prompts the production of antibodies. Antigens can include toxins, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, fungi or other foreign substances. Body tissues and cells, including cancer cells, can also display antigens that cause an immune response. These antigens can also be used as biomarkers in laboratory tests, […]
Pronounced “snip,” this is the most common type of genetic variation in people. A SNP is a DNA variation that involves one DNA “building block”, called a nucleotide (see DNA).
A type of gene that makes proteins involved in controlling cell growth and division. When these genes are mutated and stop working properly, it can lead to uncontrolled cell division which promotes the development of cancer.
RNA is a type of genetic material made by cells (see DNA) that plays a key role in many cellular processes. Unlike DNA, which stores genetic instructions, RNA helps carry out those instructions. Cells produce several types of RNA, each with a specific function – many are involved in making proteins that the body needs […]
A method used in the laboratory to learn the order, or sequence, of the building blocks in a piece of DNA or RNA. Sequencing can be used to determine the entire genetic makeup of a specific organism, i.e. their genome, and identify mutations. There are different types of sequencing methodologies, including Sanger sequencing and next-generation […]
A gene that makes a protein which plays a critical role in controlling cell division and cell death. Mutations (changes) in the p53 gene may cause cancer cells to grow and spread in the body. p53 is one of the most commonly mutated genes across many types of cancers and is a type of tumour […]
Ploidy refers to the number of chromosome pairs in a cell. Normal human somatic cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes, known as diploid cells. Human germ cells (eggs and sperm) only have a single set of 23 chromosomes, known as haploid cells. Cells that have either more, or less, than the normal 23 pairs of […]
Any change in the DNA sequence of a gene. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Although these mistakes occur millions of times each day in our cells, our bodies have sophisticated repair systems that recognise and repair many of […]