27 Jul
2007

To help molecular biologists in the difficult task of keeping abreast of current events in the world of cells and organisms, they employ reporter genes to 'broadcast' specific happenings. For example, if a scientist is interested in the whereabouts and activities of a certain gene, the reporter 'follows' it, and when this gene is activated in any way, the reporter gene produces an easily detectable protein, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP). The scientists are then able to 'read' this 'report' and learn about the specific events that are occurring and in what regions........