: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebInstead of sequencing whole genes as cutting-edge academic research labs often do, forensics labs look for something called short tandem repeats (STR). Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2017
Word History
First Known Use
1973, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
tandem repeat
noun
tan·dem repeat ˈtan-dəm-
: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
Although certain of these repetitive sequences are scattered throughout the DNA, others are reiterated many times in a row, so that they resemble the DNA equivalent of a stutter. These tandem repeats are usually found in critical regions, notably in the centromere … Robert K. Moyzis, Scientific American
The DNA fingerprint technique is based on the existence of regions of DNA that are made up of tandem repeats … Roger Levin, Science