Open Reading Frame (ORF)

An Open Reading Frame (ORF) is a continuous sequence of DNA that has the potential to be translated into a protein. It begins with a start signal (start codon) and ends with a stop signal (stop codon), without any interruptions. Think of it as a clear, uninterrupted set of instructions within the DNA that, when read by the cell, can produce a specific protein essential for various biological functions. Identifying ORFs helps scientists understand which parts of the DNA can code for proteins and how genes are organized.