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FORWARD GENETICS


One of the first tools available to molecular geneticists is the forward Genetic Screen . The aim of this technique is to identify mutations that produce a certain Phenotype . A Mutagen is very often used to accelerate this process. Once mutants have been isolated, the Mutated gene can be molecularly identified.


REVERSE GENETICS


''Main article:'' Reverse Genetics

While forward genetic screens are productive, a more straightforward approach would be to determine the phenotype that results from mutating a given gene. This is called reverse genetics. In some organisms, such as yeast and Mice , it is possible to induce the deletion of a particular gene, creating a Gene Knockout . Alternatives include the random induction of DNA deletions and subsequent selection for deletions in a gene of interest, the application of RNA Interference and the creation of Transgenic organisms that do not express a gene of interest.


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