CDNA

cDNA stands for complimentary DNA. Reverse transcriptase is used to synthesise cDNA from a single strand of mature mRNA. cDNA is not identical to genomic DNA as it only contains exons, as all of the introns have been removed by splicing to give mature mRNA. Hartl and Jones (2009) Genetics Analysis of Genes and Genomes 7th edition, 439, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Massachusetts. Berg et al (2007) Biochemistry 6th edition, 153, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York.