Adapter (genetics)

An adapter or adaptor in genetic engineering is a short, chemically synthesized, double-stranded oligonucleotide that can be ligated to the ends of other DNA or RNA molecules. Double stranded adapters are different from linkers in that they contain one blunt end and one sticky end. For instance, a double stranded DNA adapter can be used to link the ends of two other DNA molecules (i.e., ends that do not have "sticky ends", that is complementary protruding single strands by themselves). It may be used to add sticky ends to cDNA allowing it to be ligated into the plasmid much more efficiently. Two adapters could base pair to each other to form dimers.