reverse transcription

(ree-VERS tran-SKRIP-shun) In biology, the process in cells by which an enzyme makes a copy of DNA from RNA. The enzyme that makes the DNA copy is called reverse transcriptase and is found in retroviruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Reverse transcription can also be carried out in the laboratory.

The synthesis of DNA from a template of RNA, accomplished by reverse transcriptase.