Breaking and/or separation of large deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules into smaller pieces (fragments).
Notes: - DNA fragmentation is usually achieved via cleavage with restriction endonucleases at specific sites or non-specifically by, for example, sonication.
- DNA fragmentation is also a consequence of damage to DNA.
Source:
PAC, 2018, 90, 1121. 'Terminology of bioanalytical methods (IUPAC Recommendations 2018)' on page 1145 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2016-1120)