1. Double-stranded DNA or RNA molecules formed by the pairing of complementary strands from different sources or origins, rather than from the same original molecule.
Usage: molecular biology; genetics; plural form of heteroduplex

Examples

• Heteroduplexes form when single strands from different DNA molecules anneal together.
• The researchers detected heteroduplexes using gel electrophoresis to identify mismatches.
• Heteroduplexes can reveal genetic variation between two DNA samples.
• In mismatch repair studies, heteroduplexes serve as substrates for detecting base-pair errors.
• The formation of heteroduplexes is essential in certain molecular cloning techniques.