Reverse genetics is a research approach that manipulates unknown genetic sequences to understand their function and associated phenotype, in contrast to classical genetics. With the increasing ease of gene sequencing, reverse genetics is being used to explore unknown areas of the genome and is useful in vaccine development.
Reverse genetics is an approach to genetic research that takes an unknown genetic sequence and attempts to understand the phenotype with which it is associated. This is in contrast to classical genetics, where researchers take a known phenotype, such as the stripes on a cat, and try to determine which gene or genes cause the phenotype to appear. These two different approaches are both widespread and contribute to a greater overall understanding of the genome of many organisms.
As gene sequencing has gotten faster and easier, researchers have begun to be confronted with a wealth of material they knew nothing about. They could detect clear genetic sequences, but they had no idea what these sequences did or did not do. As a result, reverse genetics has started to be used to explore these unknown areas of the genome to learn more about their function. Given the length of the genome in some organisms, there will be ample material for many generations of researchers to explore.
In reverse genetics, a researcher takes an unknown genetic sequence and manipulates it to see how the phenotype changes. Researchers can introduce mutations, deletions, additions, or other changes to the sequence that are supposed to change how it is expressed. They can also turn genetic sequences on and off. By observing the changes caused by manipulation, a researcher can draw conclusions about the sequence’s function in the body.
One might think of reverse genetics as a kind of research black box. In this case, the genetic sequence is inside the black box, with the function hidden from the researcher. The researcher reaches a metaphorical hand into the box to manipulate the contents, then sees how the manipulation changes the box’s output. Using reverse genetics, people can understand the function of specific sequences and areas of the genome.
One area where reverse genetics is being used is vaccine development, with researchers taking new viruses and exploring their genetic codes to find the right segments to put into a vaccine for the purpose of protecting people. Reverse genetics can sometimes hold notable surprises, because researchers don’t necessarily know what their manipulations will achieve. They may discover links to genetic conditions, discover that the expression of a trait is more complicated than previously believed, or find new approaches to medical treatment through a deeper understanding of genome function.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
