The gene pool is the total number of alleles shared among a species’ breeding population. A larger gene pool reflects diversity, which encourages robustness. Factors affecting gene pool size include the number of organisms and relationships between them. Gene pools are important for breeders and conservationists, and fruit flies are often used in genetic research. […]
Regulatory genes control gene expression and can activate or suppress genes in response to environmental pressures. They are involved in cell differentiation and are identified by studying the genome and the proteins they code for. A regulatory gene is a gene that determines whether genes will be expressed or not. Also known as regulatory genes, […]
Genetic mutations can occur naturally or be induced and have varying effects, from benign to malignant. They can be hereditary, acquired, or deliberately created through genetic engineering. Natural variation is important for the health and evolution of a species. A genetic mutation is a change in the genetic material of an organism. Gene mutations can […]
Gene regulation is the process by which cells determine which genes to express and when. It is important for cellular differentiation, function, and adaptation to changing environments. Even single-celled organisms use gene regulation to adapt to new environments. There are potential therapeutic applications for gene regulation in treating genetic conditions and cancer. Gene regulation is […]
Gene amplification is a process where multiple copies of a gene are made, resulting in an amplification of the expressed trait. It occurs due to genetic defects and has implications for cancer drug resistance. It can occur during homologous recombination and retrotransposons, and is important in evolution. However, not all gene amplification has evolutionary significance […]
Gene expression is the process of how a gene functions within a cell. Researchers study gene expression to examine the relationships between small individual differences in DNA and different drug responses or disease risks. It is a major focus of pharmaceutical research, especially in topics such as obesity and heart disease. Gene expression profiling can […]
Gene therapy replaces defective genes with normal ones using viral vectors. It has been successful in treating diseases such as inherited retinal disease, thalassemia, and some cancers. Germline genetic engineering could modify the human genome, but has not been done yet. Gene therapy is a way of inserting genes into a patient’s cells and replacing […]
Gene flow is the transfer of alleles between populations, increasing or decreasing genetic diversity. It occurs within and between species, with bacteria being able to transfer genes between species. Migration and pollen transfer are examples of gene flow, with some enhancing biodiversity and others limiting natural variation. Gene flow can erase unique traits and ecologists […]
Suicide gene therapy is a promising method for destroying cancer cells without harming healthy ones. Two methods are currently used: enzyme-gene prodrug therapy and virus-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy. The therapy has already proven effective against prostate and bladder cancers and is being extended to other forms of cancer. A polymer is being explored as a safer […]
Gene silencing is the process of preventing gene expression through transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms. It is a natural process that regulates gene expression and is also used in laboratories to determine a gene’s purpose. Gene silencing can occur through DNA methylation or RNA interference. Disabling a gene is a valuable way to determine its purpose, […]
Researchers identify candidate genes by sifting through genetic material to find genes linked to a specific medical topic. They use algorithms to narrow down possibilities and analyze them to determine if they are candidate genes. Identifying candidate genes helps understand genetic conditions and can aid in diagnosis and patient care. A candidate gene is a […]
Gene synthesis involves creating synthetic genes that can be inserted into DNA sequences, with numerous uses in research and agriculture. The process is relatively low-cost and accessible to researchers of all sizes. Gene optimization can also be performed to ensure correct expression in new organisms. However, there are ethical and legal concerns regarding the possibility […]
Gene deletion can cause serious abnormalities and disorders in organisms, including birth defects and cancer. Scientists use gene deletion in animals to study disorders and develop knockout mice for research. Not having certain genes can also have positive effects, but research into genes is complex. Juvenile Paget’s disease has been linked to gene deletion. Gene […]
Gene cloning involves using restriction enzymes to cut DNA and fuse it with plasmids, which are then inserted into bacteria to create a genetic library. Researchers can use this technique for scientific research or medical testing. Third-party laboratories can provide more reliable results. Strict controls are necessary to avoid errors and contamination. Gene cloning allows […]
Vertical gene transfer is common in all organisms, while horizontal gene transfer is not. Single-celled organisms, especially bacteria, acquire genetic material through horizontal gene transfer, which allows them to maintain diversity. Bacteria can exchange genetic material through transformation, transduction, and bacterial conjugation. Some eukaryotes, including fungi, insects, and plants, also engage in horizontal gene transfer. […]
Gene expression profiling measures the activity levels of thousands of genes simultaneously, providing insight into how cells function. DNA microarray technology is used to measure mRNA levels in a control and experimental setting, which can be used for pure research or medical purposes, such as identifying effective drug targets for breast cancer. Gene expression profiling […]
Gene clusters are groups of related genes that code for the same function. Duplicates of genes can lead to divergence and the creation of distinct gene clusters. Studying gene clusters can provide insight into an organism’s evolutionary history and relationships between species. Statistical analysis is used to identify gene clusters, but caution must be taken […]
Gene duplication is the process of creating an additional copy of a gene, which can occur through meiosis, chromosome replication, or retrotransposition. This can result in new genes with different functions, and is a driving force in evolution. Gene duplication is the process by which a chromosome or piece of DNA is duplicated, resulting in […]
Gene interactions between clusters of genes impact an organism’s phenotype, resulting in variable physical traits. Understanding gene interactions is important for understanding heritability, including the inheritance of deleterious traits. Gene interactions can alter or suppress a phenotype, as seen in incomplete dominance and selective genetic interactions. The fruit fly is extensively studied in genetics, while […]
A gene library is a collection of DNA fragments cloned from an organism’s genome. They are cloned as plasmids or phages and can be used for gene screening. Representational gene libraries are used to isolate and clone specific genes. The library is created by extracting DNA, modulating it with a gene of interest, and combining […]
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