|
|
Article: Marker Systems
- Article from:
- Genetics
- Author:
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)
|
Marker Systems
Marker systems are tools for studying the transfer of genes into an experimental organism. In gene transfer studies, a foreign gene, called a trans-gene, is placed into an organism, in a process called transformation. A common problem for researchers is to determine quickly and easily if the target cells of the organism have actually taken up the transgene. A marker allows the researcher to determine whether the transgene has been transferred, where it is located, and when it is expressed (used to make protein).
The marker itself is also a gene. It is placed next to the transgene to make a single piece of DNA, which is then transferred. Markers are chosen because their ...