What is another word for Ribosomal DNA?
Pronunciation: [ɹˈɪbəsˌɒmə͡l dˌiːˌɛnˈe͡ɪ] (IPA) 
Ribosomal DNA, or rDNA for short, refers to the DNA that codes for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in cells. Because it is conserved across species, rDNA is widely used in molecular biology research for phylogenetic studies, and identifying microorganisms. Synonyms for rDNA include ribosomal RNA genes, 16S rRNA genes, 18S rRNA genes, and 28S rRNA genes.
In particular, the 16S rRNA gene is commonly used in sequencing bacterial and archaeal genomes, as it is highly conserved and contains regions that vary between species. The 18S and 28S rRNA genes, on the other hand, are used for sequencing eukaryotic genomes. Understanding the function and importance of rDNA is essential for many aspects of modern molecular biology research.
