What is "riboprobe"

n. (context genetics English) A segment of RNA that is used to probe for a complementary sequence of nucleotides in a DNA or mRNA

Riboprobes are RNA probes that can be produced by in vitro transcription of cloned DNA inserted in a suitable plasmid downstream of a viral promoter. Some bacterial viruses code for their own RNA polymerases, which are highly specific for the viral promoters. Using these enzymes, labeled NTPs, and inserts inserted in both forward and reverse orientations, both sense and antisense riboprobes can be generated from a cloned gene. Riboprobes are utilized during in situ hybridization.