Bioinformatics glossary- F

Fingerprint

A fingerprint is a set of motifs used to predict the occurrence of similar motifs, in either an individual sequence or in a database. Fingerprints are refined by iterative scanning of a composite protein sequence database.  A composite or multiple-motif fingerprint contains a number of aligned motifs taken from different parts of a multiple alignment.  True family members are then easy to identify by virtue of possessing all elements of the fingerprint, while subfamily members may be identified by possessing only part of it.

Frameshift

A deletion, substitution, or duplication of one or more bases that causes the reading-frame of a structural gene to shift from the normal series of triplets.

Functional genomics

The use of genomic information to delineate protein structure, function, pathways and networks. Function may be determined by "knocking out" or "knocking in" expressed genes in model organisms such as worm, fruitfly, yeast or mouse.

Fusion protein

The protein resulting from the genetic joining and expression of 2 different genes (see chimeric)