NCIt definition : A DNA sequence rearrangement that results in the creation of novel immunoglobulins
and T-cell receptors expressed by lymphocytes. This process occurs very early in the
differentiation of B- and T-lymphocytes, such that individual B- and T-cell progenitors
have unique genetic profiles that are passed down to their descendants. This leads
to clonal populations of lymphocytes expressing the unique proteins selected during
maturation.;