Heterólogo

Heterólogo is a Spanish word that translates literally to “heterologous” in English. In biology and related sciences, it is used to describe something derived from a different species or line, often in contrast to homologous material that originates from the same species. The term appears in a number of contexts, from genetics and cell biology to immunology and virology, and is commonly used in research papers that involve cross-species experiments or the introduction of foreign genes into an organism.

In genetics, a heterólogo gene refers to an allele from a different species that has been introduced or identified in a host genome. This is a fundamental concept in the study of hybridization, where crossbreeding of two species can result in offspring carrying heterologous chromosomes. For example, the introduction of a plant resistance gene from a wild relative into a cultivated crop is a classic case of a heterólogo gene providing new disease resistance.

In molecular biology, heterologous expression describes the production of a protein in a host cell that is different from the organism in which the protein is naturally encoded. For instance, recombinant bacteria that produce a mammalian protein are examples of heterologous expression systems, and they are essential tools for biotechnology and pharmaceutical production.

In immunology, heterologous immunity refers to immunity acquired from exposure to one pathogen that provides partial protection against a different, unrelated pathogen. This phenomenon underlies some vaccine strategies that exploit cross-reactive immune responses.

The noun form, heterólogo, can also refer to a practitioner who specializes in heterologous studies or in the management of cross-species biological material. According to most scientific dictionaries, the term is primarily technical and not commonly used in everyday Spanish outside scientific communities.