Marker gene
Marker gene
A Marker gene (pronunciation: /ˈmɑːrkər dʒiːn/) is a gene used in molecular biology to determine if a DNA sequence has been successfully inserted into an organism's genome.
Etymology
The term "Marker gene" is derived from the English words "marker", meaning a distinguishing device, and "gene", a unit of heredity.
Definition
A Marker gene is a specific fragment of DNA that researchers use as a 'tag' to locate specific sequences or genes within a genome. These genes are often used in Genetic engineering and Genomics to identify whether a piece of foreign DNA has been incorporated into an organism's genome.
Types of Marker genes
There are several types of Marker genes, including:
- Selectable markers: These genes confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxic substances. They are used to ensure that only cells that have taken up the foreign DNA survive in the presence of the antibiotic or toxic substance.
- Reporter genes: These genes produce easily identifiable characteristics, such as fluorescence or color change, that allow researchers to visually confirm the presence of the gene.
- Scorable markers: These genes produce a phenotype that can be measured quantitatively or qualitatively, such as enzyme activity or growth rate.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Marker gene
- Wikipedia's article - Marker gene
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