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to backsplice

to backsplice

9.9
To join parts of a cell's genetic code in reverse order into a circle
  • verb
  • Specialized
: retrosplicing
  • Scientists can backsplice RNA to create a circular form that enhances gene expression.

Examples

  • Another work focused on hsacirc0067934, which is backspliced by exon 15 and exon 16 of the PRKCI gene and functions in ESCC cells.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Researchers often backsplice segments of RNA to study their stability in different cellular environments.

  • By using specific enzymes, they can backsplice segments of RNA to investigate viral replication mechanisms.

Surface Forms

backsplice infinitive
backspliced past participle
backsplicing present participle
backsplices third person singular

Morphology

backsplice = splice (transparent) = back + splice

Formed by the productive prefix 'back-' meaning 'reverse' added to the verb 'splice', so the sense 'to join in reverse order' is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

Backsplice comes from back ('backwards') and splice ('to join'), so it helps you picture 'joining backwards'. In biology, to backsplice means joining parts of an RNA strand in backwards order to make a circle of RNA, which explains the name.