complementary dna

noun

1. cDNA.

noun

1. a form of DNA artificially synthesized from a messenger RNA template and used in genetic engineering to produce gene clonesAbbreviation: cDNA

n.

1. cDNA.

1. Single-stranded DNA synthesized in the laboratory using messenger RNA as a template and the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Complementary DNA is used for many purposes such as mapping chromosomes, creating clones, and sequencing genes.