Sticky ends refer to the short, single-stranded overhangs of DNA that result when certain restriction enzymes cleave DNA at specific recognition sites. These overhangs can anneal with complementary sequences, which is a critical feature utilized in various molecular biology techniques, including cloning and genetic engineering. Although sticky ends are primarily a concept in molecular biology and genetics, their relevance extends to histology in certain contexts, such as in situ hybridization and tissue engineering.
