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Article: Chromosomes, Artificial
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- Genetics
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Chromosomes, Artificial
Artificial chromosomes are laboratory constructs that contain DNA sequences and that perform the critical functions of natural chromosomes. They are used to introduce and control new DNA in a cell, to study how chromosomes function, and to map genes in genomes.
Natural Chromosome Function
DNA, which constitutes the genome of a cell, is always packaged with a variety of proteins, and together these make up the chromosomes. A chromosome serves to compact the DNA and protect it from the damage, while at the same time allowing the genes it contains to be available for transcription into RNA. In addition to these functions, extra ones are necessary when the cell ...