Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does functional genomics help determine the role of individual genes?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
bioinformatics
This computerized image of anthrax shows the various structural relationships of seven units within the protein and demonstrates the interaction of a drug (shown in yellow) bound to the protein to block the so-called lethal factor unit. Bioinformatics plays an important role in enabling scientists to predict where a drug molecule will bind within a protein, given the individual structures of the molecules.
Functional genomics is a branch of genomics that seeks to understand the roles of genes and their encoded proteins at the genomic level. It employs several complementary methodologies to determine gene function:12
- Reverse Genetics: This approach begins with a known gene sequence. Researchers induce a targeted mutation into the gene and observe how the resulting change in phenotype reveals the gene's normal function.3
- Forward Genetics: This classical method starts with a mutant organism displaying an interesting phenotype and works backward to identify the underlying gene sequence and its function.3
- Transcriptome Analysis: Researchers use microarrays to identify the set of mRNA transcripts present during specific developmental stages or biological processes, helping to define which genes are active.13
- Gene Editing: Technologies such as CRISPR allow for precise removal or insertion of DNA, enabling scientists to modify genes in model organisms to gain a deeper understanding of their effects.4
By integrating these techniques, functional genomics helps bridge the gap between a static DNA sequence and the dynamic biological processes it governs.13