What is the Difference Between DNA and cDNA?

The main difference between DNA and cDNA lies in their composition and origin. Here are the key differences:

1. Composition: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of living organisms, containing both coding (exons) and non-coding (introns) sequences. In contrast, cDNA (complementary DNA) is synthetic DNA that has been transcribed from a specific mRNA through a reaction using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. cDNA contains only coding sequences, as it is derived from mRNA, which lacks introns.
2. Origin: DNA is the genetic material transmitted from parents to offspring through gametes during reproduction. cDNA, on the other hand, is synthesized in the laboratory from mRNA or miRNA templates in a reaction catalyzed by reverse transcriptase.
3. Applications: Genomic DNA (gDNA) can be used to make genomic libraries for DNA sequencing, fingerprinting, differentiation, and other applications in clinical and research fields. cDNA can be used to make cDNA libraries, which are permanent collections of cDNA that can be copied and/or stored long term. Scientists often use cDNA as a tool in gene cloning and other research experiments.

In summary, DNA is the natural genetic material containing both coding and non-coding sequences, while cDNA is a synthetic DNA that contains only coding sequences and is derived from mRNA.

Comparative Table: DNA vs cDNA

Here is a table comparing the differences between DNA and cDNA:

DNA contains both introns and exons, while cDNA only contains exons, as the introns are removed during the transcription process. DNA represents all genes, whereas cDNA represents only the genes that are actively being used by a specific cell or tissue at a particular point in time.