thymidine

/ˈθaɪmɪdiːn/
noun
  1. A chemical compound that is one of the building blocks of DNA, specifically the nucleoside containing thymine.
    • Scientists used radioactive thymidine to track cell division.
    • The drug interferes with thymidine production to stop cancer cells from growing.
    • Thymidine is essential for DNA replication in cells.