Glossary Term
Probe
PCR TermsEN
Definition
General term for a piece of DNA or RNA corresponding to a gene or sequence of interest, that has been labelled either radioactively or with some other detectable molecule, such as biotin, digoxygenin or fluorescein. As stretches of DNA or RNA with complementary sequences will hybridize, a probe will label viral plaques, bacterial colonies or bands on a gel that contain the gene of interest.
Extended Notes
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C43523. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Also Known As
Probe