key concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study Its Function

So far in this chapter we have seen how recombinant DNA is made and how organisms are transformed with recombinant DNA. In this section we will examine several additional techniques for studying DNA. These approaches include expression of genes in different biological systems, mutagenesis, methods to block gene expression, and DNA microarrays to analyze large numbers of nucleotide sequences.

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  • Microarrays can be used to examine patterns of gene expression simultaneously across the genome.

  • RNA interference can be used to block specific gene expression, usually at the translational level.

  • CRISPR technology can be used to alter and inactivate specific genes.