Related Terms

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Background

• Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is a patented process for multiplying a single strand of DNA labeled with identifying markers. Once there is enough sample material, detection is possible because the markers contain a radioactive atom, a fluorescent component that glows under ultraviolet light, or a chemical that emits light when mixed with certain other chemicals (chemiluminescence).
• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an extremely long molecule that resides in the nuclei of cells. It contains the instructions for building a living organism. The instructions, known as genes, are a linear code of four letters arranged in three letter "words." There are 64 words, but they designate only 20 actions corresponding to the 20 amino acids that make up every protein in every living creature. Organisms are produced, protein by protein, by an assembly line according to the genes' instructions. Each organism has a different set of genes, although many of the pieces are the same.
• Genes are considered the building blocks of life because they contain the instructions for the structure and function all of the cells in the body. Genes control an organism's development and functions by instructing cells to make new proteins. Genes are passed down from parents to their children.
• These mechanisms are tremendously complex and mathematically precise, which can be understood using SDA and similar techniques. Then the parts of the process that direct the production of living creatures can be duplicated and manipulated in the laboratory, leading to advances in preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease along with applications in many other areas of science.

Methods

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Research

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Implications

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Limitations

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Safety

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Future Research

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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