Glossary Term
Homologous Recombination
Definition
The process of exchange of genetic material between autonomous replicons, which depends on regions of extensive sequence homology between the participating DNA strands. This process involves double-strand breakage of one participant, resection of the break, and strand invasion, followed by formation, displacement and resolution of the Holliday junction. This process is involved in repairing broken DNA and creating combinations of genes that may be unique from the parent duplexes. Disruptions in this process can result in inviability, premature aging and predisposition to cancers and degenerative diseases.
Extended Notes
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C18144. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-20. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.