| germ line | A group of cells in most multicellular animals which give rise to the reproductive cells. The genome of the animal as contained in these cells, along with any mutations which might arise in them (germinal mutations), can be passed on to offspring. Also can refer to the appearance and conditions of the genome in the germ cells which may be different from within the somatic cells. The development of a germ cell as originating from a cell in a zygote. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| germ line gene therapy | The repair or replacement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, which produces an inheritable change in an organisms genetic constitution. (09 Oct 1997) |
| germ-line mutation | Any detectable and heritable alteration in the lineage of germ cells. Mutations in these cells (i.e., "generative" cells ancestral to the gametes) are transmitted to progeny while those in somatic cells are not. (12 Dec 1998) |
| germ line transformation | Micro injection of foreign DNA into an early embryo, so that it becomes incorporated into the germ line of the individual and thus stably inherited in subsequent generations of transgenic organisms. Typically, the DNA would be a reporter gene or cDNA in a vector such as a transposon, that might also carry a visible marker gene such as eye or coat colour), so that successful transformation could readily be detected. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Paris line | A unit of microscopic measurement as used in Kolliker's Mikroskopische Anatomie; it was equal to 0.0888138 of an inch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Vesling's line | A central line, like a cord, running over the scrotum from the anus to the root of the penis; it marks the position of the septum scroti. Synonym: raphe scroti, Vesling's line. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vibrating line | The imaginary line across the posterior part of the palate, marking the division between the movable and immovable tissues. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mcgregor's line | <radiology> Line from posterior hard palate to base of occiput, if dens is greater than 4.5 mm most likely to be basilar invagination, easier to use than Chamberlain's line (12 Dec 1998) |
| McKee's line | A line drawn from the tip of the cartilage of the eleventh rib to a point 3.5 cm medial to the anterior superior spine, then curved downward, forward, and inward to just above the deep inguinal ring; a guide to the common iliac artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cavity line angle | In dentistry, the angle formed by two walls of a cavity, e.g., a tooth cavity, meeting along a line. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Reid's base line | <anatomy, radiology> A line drawn from the inferior margin of the orbit to the auricular point at the superior border of the orifice of the external auditory meatus and extending backward to the centre of the occipital bone. It is used as the zero plane in computed tomography. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell line | <cell culture> A cell line is a permanently established cell culture that will proliferate indefinitely given appropriate fresh medium and space. Lines differ from cell strains in that they have escaped the Hayflick limit and become immortalised. Some species, particularly rodents, give rise to lines relatively easily, whereas other species do not. No cell lines have been produced from avian tissues and the establishment of cell lines from human tissue is difficult. Many cell biologists would consider that a cell line is by definition already abnormal and that it is on the way towards becoming the culture equivalent of a neoplastic cell. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell line rights | <cell culture> Ownership of a new organism entity. Rulings indicate that any organism that is patentable at all can be patented if it has been manipulated to do something useful. Usually, the rights do not reside with the individual who has supplied the source of the organism, but with the individual or organisation who has made it. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell line, transformed | Eukaryotic cell line obtained in a quiescent or stationary phase which undergoes conversion to a state of unregulated growth in culture, resembling an in vitro tumour. It occurs spontaneously or through interaction with viruses, oncogenes, radiation, or drugs/chemicals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| median line | <anatomy> See: anterior median line, posterior median line. (05 Mar 2000) |