MAF

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

MAF
Stands forMinor allele frequency
Meanings2
CategoriesScience & Engineering, Transportation & Travel

MAF has two meanings. It stands for Minor allele frequency (genetics) or Mass airflow sensor (automotive).

Meanings of MAF at a glance

#MAF stands forContext
1Minor allele frequencyScience & Engineering › Genetics
2Mass airflow sensorTransportation & Travel › Automotive

1. Minor allele frequency

Science & Engineering · Genetics Abbreviations

Frequency of the less common allele at a variant position in a given population. Researchers use MAF to classify variants as common (often above 5%), low-frequency or rare (below about 1%) and to filter data in association studies.

Example: Variants with an MAF below 1% were excluded from the GWAS because of low statistical power.

MAF depends on the population studied; an allele that is rare in one ancestry group can be common in another. Databases such as gnomAD report allele frequencies across populations, helping clinicians judge whether a variant is too common to cause a rare disease.

2. Mass airflow sensor

Transportation & Travel · Automotive Abbreviations

Sensor in the intake tract that measures the mass of air entering the engine, typically using a heated wire or film, so the computer can inject the right amount of fuel. A dirty or failing MAF causes hesitation, rough idle and poor fuel economy.

Example: Cleaning the MAF with a spray can fixed the stumbling at low rpm.

Special MAF cleaner should be used, never touching the delicate sensing element. Oiled aftermarket air filters can contaminate the sensor. Engines without a MAF calculate airflow from manifold pressure instead, using a MAP sensor.

More genetics abbreviations

  • kb – Kilobase
  • LD – Linkage disequilibrium
  • lncRNA – Long non-coding RNA
  • LOD – Logarithm of the odds (score)
  • Mb – Megabase
  • miRNA – MicroRNA
  • mtDNA – Mitochondrial DNA
  • ncRNA – Non-coding RNA

See all 57 genetics abbreviations →

More automotive abbreviations

  • LSD – Limited-slip differential
  • LT – Light truck
  • LWB – Long wheelbase
  • M+S – Mud and snow
  • MAP – Manifold absolute pressure
  • MHEV – Mild hybrid electric vehicle
  • MIL – Malfunction indicator lamp
  • MPG – Miles per gallon

See all 116 automotive abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.