Glossary

A unit of measure of recombination frequency. One centimorgan is equal to a 1% chance that a marker at one genetic locus will be separated from a marker at a second locus due to crossing over in a single generation. In human beings, one centimorgan is equivalent, on average, to one million base pairs.

The basic concept that, in nature, genetic information generally can flow only from DNA to RNA to protein. It is now known, however, that information contained in RNA molecules of certain viruses (called retroviruses) can also flow back to DNA.

Comprise the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

The unit of a computer that includes the circuits controlling the interpretation of program instructions and their execution. The CPU controls the entire computer. It receives and sends data through input-output channels, retrieves data and programs from memory, and conducts mathematical and logical functions of a program.

A system architecture wherein data is stored in a centralized database and processing occurs on a single centralized server.

Separating molecules by size or density using centrifugal forces generated by a spinning rotor. G-forces of several hundred thousand times gravity are generated in ultracentrifugation.

A centrifuge operates on the principle of centrifugal force, the inertial reaction by which a body tends to move away from a center about which it revolves. This technique is commonly used to separate solids from liquids or liquids of different densities. Centrifugal equipment is divided into two major types, sedimenters and filters:SedimentersFor sedimentation, batch and continuous centrifuges are available. There are three types of centrifuges for continuous sedimentation.a)Disc – constructed on the vertical axis, disc centrifuges are solid-bowl units. All are capable of separating liquids from solids, solids from two immiscible liquids and two immiscible liquids. Disc-stack centrifuges differ in their ability to handle different volumes of solids in the feed stream, and in the way that the separated solids are removed from the separation vessel: solids-retaining, solids-ejecting, and nozzle-bowl separators.b)Decanters – consists of a cylindrical settling section with a tapered end. Inside the bowl is a scroll conveyor that is driven usually at a slightly faster rate than the bowl and can be controlled by a differential speed device or back drive.c)Tubular – a vertical solid-wall cylinder provided with caps on both ends; a tubular centrifuge generally has a bottom feed inlet. When two liquids of different specific gravities are fed, the heavier phase is concentrated against the wall while the lighter phase “floats” on the heavier phase.FiltersFiltering centrifuges accommodate a range of liquid-solid separations. The two batch types, basket and peeler centrifuges, can separate almost any liquid-solid slurry. For continuous operation, there are pusher and conical centrifuges.a)Pusher – with a horizontal axis, the pusher centrifuge operates at a constant fixed speed. It has a perforated bowl, generally with a bar-type screen. One end of the bowl is open while the opposite end is closed with a reciprocating diaphragm, or disc, which rotates with the bowl.b)Conical – the standard conical centrifuge consists of a cone with a small closed end and a large open end to which is attached a coarsely woven drainage screen, topped with a filter screen or perforated plate. A compartmentalized casing surrounds the bowl. There are two variations of the basic conical centrifuge: the tilting conical centrifuge and the conveyor conical type.

A device in which solid or liquid particles of different densities are separated by rotating them in a tube in a horizontal circle. The denser particles tend to move along the length of the tube to a greater radius of rotation, displacing the lighter particles to the other end.

The portion of the chromosome to which the spindle fibres attach during mitotic and meiotic division. It appears as a constriction when chromosomes contract during cell division. After chromosomal duplication, which occurs at the beginning of every mitotic and meiotic division, the two resultant chromatids are joined at the centromere.

A specialized region of a living cell, situated next to the nucleus, where micro-tubules are assembled and broken down during cell division. The centrosome of most animal cells contains a pair of centrioles. During metaphase the centrosome separates into two regions, each containing one of the centrioles.

Chief Executive Officer

Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (EPA)

Council on Environmental Quality

Comparative Effectiveness Research

Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System (EPA)

Community Emergency Response Team

A Certificate of Authorization issued by ASME.

An organization holding a Certificate of Authorization issued by the Society upon satisfactory completion of evaluation of ability to comply with the requirements of this Standard.

(USP) A list of the analytical tests, acceptance criteria, and results obtained on a particular article.

A batch-specific document that is used to list test methods and results, including applicable specifications, acceptance criteria, and a final batch disposition.

A document issued by ASME that authorizes the use of an ASME BPE Symbol Stamp for a specified time and for a specified scope of activity.

A Certificate of Confidentiality protects the compelled release of identifiable information about research subjects in any legal proceeding. These documents are issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and can be requested foe all research, regardless of funding source (42 USC 241(d)).

(ANSI) In computer systems, a technical evaluation, made as part of and in support of the accreditation process, that establishes the extent to which a particular computer system or network design and implementation meet a prespecified set of requirements.

Documented testimony by qualified authorities that a system qualification, calibration, validation, or revalidation has been performed appropriately and that the results are acceptable.