New Genetics, Food &
Agriculture: Scientific Discoveries - Societal Dilemmas
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Source: van Montagu and Burssens 2002 Notes
to Box 2.4 1. Transcriptome, based on microarray chips allow the acquisition of large amounts of parallel and automated data, providing extensive quantitative information about the degree to which each gene respond to a given condition such as specific environmental factors and/or developmental stages of the plant. 2.
Map-based cloning, by the use of the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism
technique (AFLP) can lead rapidly to the identification of a gene responsible
for a certain phenotype or trait. 3.
AFLP transcript imaging or expression profiling is a highly sensitive method for
the detection of scarcely expressed messengers. By use of this technology
different paralogs can be distinguished and unknown genes detected. 4. By combining the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Discovery Technology and the Mass Array System for SNP technology (Methexis/Sequenom), genes are scanned for genetic variation with a greater speed and accuracy. This approach, combined with the use of existing seed banks in intensive breeding programs, will lead to the rapid identification of genes contributing to a beneficial trait. 5.
Genetic approaches to define gene functions include high-throughput phenotyping
of transformed plants (suppression and over expression of transgenes),
temperature sensitive mutants, positional cloning, and chemical genetics. 6. Chemical agents that can perturb the function of specific proteins encoded by individual genes can be used to investigate the role of gene products. This strategy complements traditional genetic studies because they can rapidly and conditionally inactivate proteins, allowing a more thorough exploration of their biological function. Source: van Montagu and Burssens, 2002 |