RNA is a nucleic acid similar to DNA, but with only a single, helical strand of bases. It plays a key role in turning DNA instructions into functional proteins.

A genome is an organism’s complete set of genetic instructions. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build that organism and allow it to grow and develop. 

Splicing occurs during protein synthesis, and involves cutting out and rearranging sections of mRNA.

RNA sequencing is a technique used to identify the sequence of the bases that make up a molecule of RNA.

Bioinformatics is the science of both storing lots of complex biological data, and of analysing it to find new insights, which we use in many different ways.

Genomic surveillance involves sequencing the genetic material of pathogens and identifying changes linked to the origins or characteristics of a disease. 

Covid variants arise when mutations in SARS-CoV-2 virus affect how infectious or deadly it is. Genomic surveillance helps track new variants and their impact.

In biology, evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection.

GMOs are organisms that have had their characteristics changed through the modification of their DNA.