Functional Genomic Elements
Functional Genomic Elements - Related Videos
11:12
Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
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2017
Here, the power of a transposon-mediated random insertion of a non-coding DNA element was used to resolve its optimal chromosomal position.
08:31
Genome Editing
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2023
A well-established technique for modifying specific sequences in the genome is gene targeting by homologous recombination, but this method can be laborious and only works in certain organisms. Recent advances have led to the development of “genome editing”, which works by inducing double-strand breaks in DNA using engineered nuclease enzymes guided to target genomic sites by either proteins or RNAs that recognize specific sequences. When a cell attempts to repair this damage, mutations can be...
08:31
Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
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Cited by 2 •
2013
Single Virus Genomics (SVG) is a method to isolate and amplify the genomes of single virons. Viral suspensions of a mixed assemblage are sorted using flow cytometry onto a microscope slide with discrete wells containing agarose, thereby capturing the virion and reducing genome shearing during downstream processing. Whole genome amplification is achieved using multiple displacement amplification (MDA) resulting in genomic material that is suitable for sequencing.
04:00
Periodic Classification of the Elements
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2020
The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
02:02
Genomics
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2020
Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
FAQs
Transcription factors bind particular DNA sequences, including promoters and enhancers, to influence transcription, while chromatin-state changes alter how accessible the DNA is to regulatory proteins. Greater access can support regulatory activity, whereas reduced access can limit it. Together, these mechanisms help determine when, where, and how strongly a gene is expressed in a particular biological context.
These elements contribute different regulatory effects. Promoters participate directly in initiating gene expression, enhancers increase expression in appropriate contexts, and silencers repress it. Insulators help separate regulatory domains, limiting inappropriate influence between neighboring regions. Their distinct roles allow genomic organization to coordinate multiple genes and restrict regulatory activity to suitable locations or conditions.
Not all functional genomic information produces proteins. Some elements generate noncoding RNAs, while others act by changing chromatin conditions that affect DNA accessibility. Including both outputs and chromatin-based effects gives researchers a broader view of genome function. This is important when regulatory activity cannot be explained solely by protein-coding sequences or direct transcription-factor binding.
Researchers examine genomic sequences and regions for evidence that they encode biological products or regulate gene activity. Identification may include recognizing regulatory roles associated with transcription-factor binding, repression, insulation, chromatin accessibility, or noncoding RNA production. The resulting annotations organize genome structure and provide a framework for interpreting how particular regions may influence gene expression.
A genetic variant may affect a regulatory region rather than a protein-coding sequence. Determining whether that region controls transcription, changes chromatin access, produces a noncoding RNA, or influences insulation can clarify how the variant alters molecular activity. These connections help researchers relate genome variation to molecular and disease phenotypes instead of treating every sequence change as equivalent.
They are relevant when an experiment must target not only a gene sequence but also a region controlling its expression. Element annotations can guide targeted genome-editing designs and help researchers anticipate whether altering a promoter, enhancer, silencer, insulator, or other functional region could change regulatory behavior. Their study also supports investigations of development, evolution, and precision medicine.