Targeted mutagenesis

Targeted mutagenesis is a molecular biology technique used to create specific, targeted changes in the DNA sequence of a genome. This technique is used to study the function of specific genes by observing the effects of these targeted changes.

Overview

Targeted mutagenesis is a powerful tool for studying gene function and protein function. It allows scientists to create specific changes in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can then be studied to understand the gene's function. This can be done in a variety of organisms, including bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals.

Techniques

There are several techniques used in targeted mutagenesis, including site-directed mutagenesis, homologous recombination, and CRISPR-Cas9. These techniques vary in their specificity, efficiency, and ease of use.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Site-directed mutagenesis is a method used to make specific changes in the DNA sequence of a gene. This is done by creating a DNA molecule with the desired mutation, and then using this molecule as a template to create a new, mutated version of the gene.

Homologous Recombination

Homologous recombination is a method used to exchange genetic information between two similar or identical strands of DNA. This can be used to introduce specific mutations into a gene.

CRISPR-Cas9

CRISPR-Cas9 is a newer method of targeted mutagenesis that uses a bacterial defense system to introduce specific mutations into a gene. This method is highly specific and efficient, and has revolutionized the field of targeted mutagenesis.

Applications

Targeted mutagenesis has a wide range of applications in biomedical research, agriculture, and biotechnology. It is used to study gene function, create model organisms for disease research, and develop new genetically modified organisms for use in agriculture and biotechnology.

See also

• Genetic engineering
• Gene therapy
• Genome editing

References

Targeted mutagenesis Resources
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