Gene Functional Study
Gene Functional Study - Related Videos
13:10
DNA Vector-based RNA Interference to Study Gene Function in Cancer
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Cited by 26 •
2012
RNA interference (RNAi) possesses many advantages over gene knockout and has been broadly used as a tool in gene functional studies. The invention of DNA vector-based RNAi technology has made long term and inducible gene knockdown possible, and also increased the feasibility of gene silencing in vivo.
03:02
Morpholino Injection: A Method to Knockdown Target Gene Expression to Study Function in Zebrafish
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2023
The protocol describes targeted knockdown of gene expression in zebrafish by morpholino injection in the tail.
08:57
In ovo Electroporation in Chick Midbrain for Studying Gene Function in Dopaminergic Neuron Development
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Cited by 5 •
2012
To assess the function and the regulation of genes during the development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, we describe a method that involves in ovo electroporation of plasmid DNA constructs into embryonic chick ventral midbrain dopaminergic neuron progenitors. This technique can be used to achieve efficient expression of genes of interest to study different aspects of midbrain development and dopaminergic neuron differentiation.
06:30
Cell Lineage Analyses and Gene Function Studies Using Twin-spot MARCM
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Cited by 2 •
2017
Here, we present a protocol for a mosaic labeling technique that permits the visualization of neurons derived from a common progenitor cell in two distinct colors. This facilitates neural lineage analysis with the capability of birth-dating individual neurons and studying gene function in the same neurons of different individuals.
10:06
High Resolution Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization within Zebrafish Embryos to Study Gene Expression and Function
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Cited by 24 •
2013
The zebrafish, a small tropical fish, has become a popular model for studying gene function during vertebrate development and disease. The temporal and spatial expression of target genes can be determined by in situ hybridization. Our improved protocol allows for the detection of low abundant transcripts with low non-specific background signal.
FAQs
Researchers alter a gene’s expression and then compare resulting phenotypes with molecular measurements. A change in a cellular process, organismal trait, or disease-related feature after the perturbation can link gene activity to that outcome. Combining phenotype comparisons with transcript, protein, or pathway analysis helps determine whether the gene regulates a particular biological process.
These approaches provide different ways to alter gene expression within a functional study. Researchers can compare outcomes produced by reducing or increasing gene activity, rather than relying on a single perturbation. Agreement between the resulting phenotypes and molecular readouts strengthens interpretation, while differing results can indicate that the level of gene activity influences the biological process under investigation.
Phenotypic changes show what happened, but molecular readouts help explain how it happened. Transcript analysis examines RNA-related changes, protein analysis evaluates changes at the protein level, and pathway analysis places those changes within a biological process. Together, these measurements can connect a gene perturbation with specific molecular events and improve interpretation of the observed phenotype.
Controls provide the comparison needed to associate an observed phenotype or molecular change with the gene manipulation itself. Without an appropriate reference, researchers cannot confidently distinguish effects related to altered gene activity from differences present in the comparison system. Careful controls therefore support more reliable links between the experimental perturbation and the measured outcome.
A typical study selects a gene and a biological process or trait to examine, changes the gene’s expression through knockout, knockdown, or overexpression, and measures the resulting phenotype. Researchers may then assess transcript, protein, or pathway changes and compare all results with appropriate controls. This workflow connects the manipulation to cellular, organismal, or disease-related outcomes.
When a gene’s role is uncertain, researchers can alter its expression and examine the resulting cellular processes or organismal traits. Consistent phenotype and molecular changes provide functional evidence that helps assign the gene to a biological process. This approach extends gene annotation beyond sequence identification by relating the newly identified gene to measurable biological activity.
In disease research, these studies can clarify mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets. In development and physiology, they help reveal how genes contribute to biological processes and organismal traits. Biotechnology research can also use the resulting functional knowledge to guide investigation and application. The central evidence comes from comparing altered gene activity with phenotypic and molecular outcomes.