Clonally

The adverb 'clonally' describes something that occurs or is produced through cloning, the process of creating genetically identical copies. It signifies that a population of cells, organisms, or molecules are derived from a single ancestor and therefore share the same genetic makeup. This applies to both natural processes like asexual reproduction and artificial techniques used in biotechnology. The term highlights the uniformity and identical nature of the derived entities, emphasizing their shared hereditary information, traits, and, by extension, their expected behavior under similar environmental conditions. Essentially, it indicates a lack of genetic diversity within the population.

Clonally meaning with examples

• In plant propagation, many new trees are produced clonally from cuttings, ensuring the replication of desirable traits like disease resistance and fruit quality. The orchard, therefore, boasts trees that are genetically uniform, which can be both a benefit and a potential weakness against a widespread disease outbreak.
• Researchers studied the spread of a specific cancer cell line that metastasized clonally, revealing its genetic mutations and mechanisms for invasion. Understanding the clonal origins of tumors is critical for targeted therapies. The lack of genetic diversity makes them vulnerable to specific targeted drugs.
• Scientists used CRISPR gene-editing to modify bacteria and then grew these organisms clonally in culture to study the edited traits. This enables the evaluation of the outcome of the gene edit under constant condition. The lack of mutations is highly useful in this experimental setup.
• In forensic science, DNA evidence found at a crime scene can be analyzed to determine if it matches the DNA of a suspect, especially if the samples show a clonally identical origin. This comparison helps to establish or refute a link between the suspect and the crime, based on the absence or presence of genetic differences.
• Certain viral infections can replicate clonally within a host, creating a population of genetically identical viral particles that exacerbate disease progression. The uniform nature of the replicating viral load allows the immune system to respond in a standardized manner.