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molecular biology
noun
: a branch of biology dealing with the ultimate physicochemical organization of living matter and especially with the molecular basis of inheritance and protein synthesis
molecular biologist
noun
Examples of molecular biology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Introduction By Annie Melchor Contributing Writer September 16, 2024
biology cells cellular communication microbes molecular biology RNA All topics
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For a molecule of RNA, the world is a dangerous place.
—Quanta Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
Calculating the post-mortem interval became more precise with the advent of molecular biology.
—Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Officials said the fire broke out on property maintained by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a federal lab about 40 miles southeast of downtown Oakland that conducts experiments on nuclear reactions, lasers, atomic structure and molecular biology.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 3 June 2024
After playing critical roles in the early development of molecular biology, a number of phages have been developed as potential therapies to be used when antibiotic resistance limits the effectiveness of traditional medicines.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for molecular biology
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'molecular biology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1884, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of molecular biology was
in 1884
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Dictionary Entries Near molecular biology
Cite this Entry
“Molecular biology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecular%20biology. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
molecular biology
noun
: a branch of biology that investigates the structure and function of usually large molecules (as DNA and proteins) of living matter in order to understand their role in biological processes (as inheritance and cell function)
Medical Definition
molecular biology
noun
: a branch of biology dealing with the study and understanding of biological activity and processes at the molecular level and especially the molecular basis of gene function and protein synthesis
Molecular biology experiments proved that small pieces of DNA did sometimes move within or between chromosomes, thereby triggering changes in gene expression.—John Rennie, Scientific American
The test is based on several recent advances in molecular biology, including the new insight that cells slip into the uncontrolled growth known as cancer through defects in specific enzymes that monitor and control division.—Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times
More from Merriam-Webster on molecular biology
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molecular biology
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