A single-stranded DNA molecule with a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to an RNA molecule;
cDNA is formed by the action of the enzyme reverse transcriptase on an
RNA template. After conversion to the double-stranded form,
cDNA is used for molecular cloning or for hybridization studies.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 150 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)