Gene silencing
Gene silencing: A mechanism by which cells shut down large sections of chromosomal DNA. Gene silencing is done by incorporating the DNA to be silenced into a form of DNA called heterochromatin that is already silent.
The process of gene silencing is important for the differentiation of many different types of cells.
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- Gene testing
Gene testing: The testing of a sample of blood (or another fluid or tissue) for evidence of a gene. The aim of gene testing is usually to learn whether a gene for a disease is present or absent.
- Gene transfer
Gene transfer: The insertion of unrelated genetic information in the form of DNA into cells. There are different reasons to do gene transfer. Perhaps foremost among these reasons is the treatment of diseases using gene transfer to supply patients with therapeutic genes. There are also different ways to transfer genes. Some of these methods involve […]
- Gene, candidate
Gene, candidate: Any gene thought likely to cause a disease. The gene may be a candidate because it is located in a particular chromosome region suspected of being involved in the disease or its protein product may suggest that it could be the disease gene in question.
- Gene, evolutionarily conserved
Gene, evolutionarily conserved: A gene that has remained essentially unchanged throughout evolution. Conservation of a gene indicates that it is unique and essential. Changes in the gene are likely to be lethal.
- Gene, marker
Gene, marker: A detectable genetic trait or segment of DNA that can be identified and tracked. A marker gene can serve as a flag for another gene, sometimes called the target gene. A marker gene must be on the same chromosome as the target gene and near enough to it so that the two genes […]