🧬 Reproductive cells 🧬 Inherited genetic

germline

1 7.9

Relating to genes in egg or sperm that parents can pass to children

adjective
/ˈdʒɜrmˌlaɪn/

Specialized

: línea germinal

Researchers are exploring the implications of germline editing for treating genetic diseases.

On the the flip side of that, now you've got germline editing.

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Examples

So there are clear technical hurdles which have to be overcome in that realm and in terms of germline gene therapy.

Big Think
So, you know, obviously these mice have knock in germline antibodies.
But anyway, as far as I know, he was not convicted of germline therapy, but something more nuanced.

FoundMyFitness
On the the flip side of that, now you've got germline editing.

Tom Bilyeu
You see, they also have a distinction there between germline and somatic gene editing.
The effects of germline mutations can be seen in subsequent generations.
The study focused on germline cells to understand hereditary traits.

Antonyms

somatic

Specialized

9 7.9

Relating to the body rather than the mind

nonheritable

Specialized

1 7.8

A disease or trait that parents cannot pass to their children through genes

Surface Forms

germline positive

Morphology

germline = germ + line (opaque) = germ + line

The term 'germline' refers to a specific biological concept not directly inferable from 'germ' and 'line' alone.

Etymology

Germline starts with germ, which meant 'seed' or 'sprout' and is the same root as germinate, and ends with line, meaning a 'family line'. So as an adjective germline describes things that belong to the 'seed' reproductive cells that can be passed on to the next generation.