microsatellite

noun

mi·​cro·​sat·​el·​lite ˌmī-krō-ˈsa-tə-ˌlīt 

: any of numerous short segments of DNA that are distributed throughout the genome, that consist of repeated sequences of usually two to five nucleotides, and that tend to vary from one individual to another

Examples of microsatellite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Short, repeating segments of DNA known as microsatellites were used to test the relatedness of the parents. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2023

The problem is that microsatellites often give inaccurate estimates of which individuals are most and least related. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2023

Measuring several microsatellites creates a DNA fingerprint that is rare, if not unique. —Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023

His team will extract DNA from dogs in that family and (using the same strategy adopted by Rine) search for a microsatellite repeat tightly linked to the disease gene. —Rosie Mestel, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microsatellite

noun

mi·​cro·​sat·​el·​lite -ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt 

: any of numerous short segments of DNA that are distributed throughout the genome, that consist of repeated sequences of usually two to five nucleotides, and that are often useful markers in studies of genetic linkage because they tend to vary from one individual to another compare minisatellite