Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
R
Retrovirus
A retrovirus is an enveloped, single‑stranded RNA virus that replicates through reverse transcription of its RNA genome into DNA, which integrates into the...
Reverse Transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template. It is an RNA‑dependent DNA polymerase that converts single‑stranded viral RNA...
Rhodamine-Auramine Stain
Rhodamine‑Auramine stain is a fluorochrome staining technique that combines auramine O and rhodamine B dyes to detect acid‑fast bacteria such as mycobacteria...
Ribosome
A ribosome is a macromolecular complex composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins that reads messenger RNA and catalyzes the assembly of amino acids into...
Rickettsia
Rickettsia is a genus of small, obligate intracellular Gram‑negative bacteria transmitted by ticks, lice and fleas. They infect endothelial cells and cause...
Rickettsia rickettsii
Rickettsia rickettsii is a species of obligate intracellular Gram‑negative bacterium that infects endothelial cells and causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a...
Rickettsial
Rickettsial refers to diseases, infections or characteristics associated with bacteria in the genus Rickettsia and related genera. Overview and Features...
Rickettsialpox
Rickettsialpox is an acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia akari transmitted by mite bites; it produces a black eschar at the bite site followed by a...
Rift Valley Fever Virus
Rift Valley fever virus RVFV is a mosquito-borne phlebovirus that infects domestic ruminants and occasionally humans, leading to an acute febrile illness known...
RNA
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a polymer composed of ribose sugars, phosphate groups and the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil. It plays central roles...
Ross River Virus
Ross River virus RRV is an arthritogenic alphavirus in the family Togaviridae that causes Ross River fever, a mosquito-borne disease. The virus circulates...
Rotavirus A
Rotavirus A is a double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae that causes the majority of acute rotaviral gastroenteritis in infants and young children...
Rotavirus B
Rotavirus B RVB is a double‑stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Rotavirus family Sedoreoviridae. It has eleven genome segments and primarily infects...
Rotavirus C
Rotavirus C RVC is a double‑stranded RNA virus species within the genus Rotavirus family Sedoreoviridae. Its genome consists of eleven segments and the virus...
Rotavirus H
Rotavirus H RVH is a double‑stranded RNA virus belonging to group H rotaviruses family Sedoreoviridae. Like other rotaviruses, its genome consists of eleven...
Rubella Virus
Rubella virus is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes rubella, also known as German measles. It is the sole member of the genus...
S
Sabia Virus
Sabia virus is a New World arenavirus linked to Brazilian hemorrhagic fever. This enveloped virus has a bi‑segmented negative‑sense RNA genome and is presumed...
Sabouraud Agar
Sabouraud dextrose agar SDA is a selective culture medium containing peptones, high dextrose concentration and a slightly acidic pH that promotes the growth of...
Saffold Virus
Saffold virus is a small, positive-sense RNA virus from the Picornaviridae family classified in the genus Cardiovirus. It was identified as the first human...
Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus
Saint Louis encephalitis virus SLEV is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus. It is transmitted by Culex...
Salivirus A
Salivirus A is a small, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus in the family Picornaviridae and the only known species in the genus Salivirus. It was first...
Sample
A sample is one or more parts taken from a larger system, such as a biological specimen or environmental material, that is intended to provide information...
Sandfly Fever Naples Virus
Sandfly fever Naples virus SFNV is an enveloped negative‑sense RNA virus of genus Phlebovirus that causes a short febrile illness known as 'three‑day fever.'...
Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus
Sandfly fever Sicilian virus SFSV is a member of the Phlebovirus genus that is transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and causes Pappataci three-day fever in...