Gene gun
Gene gun
A gene gun or a biolistic particle delivery system is a device used to deliver DNA into cells. This method is often used in plant transformation, but can also be used in transformation of animal cells.
Pronunciation
Gene gun: /dʒiːn gʌn/
Etymology
The term "gene gun" is derived from the device's function of shooting genetic material into cells. The term "biolistic" is a portmanteau of "biology" and "ballistic", referring to the method's use of high velocity to deliver DNA.
Function
The gene gun works by coating small particles of gold or tungsten with DNA and then shooting these particles into a tissue or single cell. This process is also known as biolistics, a method of transfection.
Related Terms
- Biolistics: A method of transfection where DNA is coated onto a heavy metal particle, usually gold or tungsten, and shot into cells or tissue.
- Transfection: The process of introducing nucleic acids into cells.
- Transformation (genetics): The genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material from its surroundings.
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule composed of two chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gene gun
- Wikipedia's article - Gene gun
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