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Structure of a Gene

Structure of a Gene

A gene is the fundamental unit of heredity. Every individual has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Although most people contain the same genes, there is a small fraction that is slightly different amongst people. A gene with a small difference in its sequence of DNA bases forms different alleles, contributing to different phenotypes.
However, only 1% of the DNA is composed of genes that encode proteins; the rest, 99% is non-coding DNA. This non-coding DNA performs...

What is Gene Expression?

What is Gene Expression?

Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...

What is Gene Expression?

What is Gene Expression?

A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then processed and...

What is Gene Expression?

What is Gene Expression?

Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...

DNA Microarrays

DNA Microarrays

Microarrays are high-throughput and relatively inexpensive assays that can be automated to analyze large quantities of data at a time. They are used in genome-wide studies to compare gene or protein expression under two varied conditions, such as healthy and diseased states. Microarrays consist of glass or silica slides on which probe molecules are covalently attached through surface functionalization. Most commonly, the slides are prepared through the chemisorption of silanes to silica...

Reporter Genes

Reporter Genes

Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.
Commonly used reporter...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Single Cell Analysis Of Transcriptionally Active Alleles By Single Molecule FISH

Single Cell Analysis Of Transcriptionally Active Alleles By Single Molecule FISH

Published on: September 20, 2020

A single molecule view of gene expression.

Daniel R Larson¹, Robert H Singer, Daniel Zenklusen

¹Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and The Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology

|October 13, 2009

Summary

Single-cell gene expression analysis, using advanced imaging and mathematical models, offers a probabilistic view of cellular mechanisms. This approach quantifies gene expression, explaining variations among single cells and advancing systems biology.

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Single-cell Gene Expression Profiling Using FACS and qPCR with Internal Standards

Single-cell Gene Expression Profiling Using FACS and qPCR with Internal Standards

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Single Cell Analysis Of Transcriptionally Active Alleles By Single Molecule FISH

Single Cell Analysis Of Transcriptionally Active Alleles By Single Molecule FISH

Published on: September 20, 2020

Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage (CoTrAC)

Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage (CoTrAC)

Published on: March 15, 2013

Single-cell Gene Expression Profiling Using FACS and qPCR with Internal Standards

Single-cell Gene Expression Profiling Using FACS and qPCR with Internal Standards

Published on: February 25, 2017

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Systems Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Single-gene expression analysis is often contrasted with global gene expression studies.
Advances in imaging technologies have propelled single-cell studies to the forefront of gene expression research.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of single-cell gene expression analysis in understanding gene regulation.
To highlight the integration of imaging and mathematical modeling in systems biology.

Main Methods:

Quantitative analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) counts within individual cells.
Real-time monitoring of gene transcription processes.
Visualization techniques for single proteins.
Development of mathematical models based on stochastic, discrete biochemical processes.

Main Results:

Single-cell studies provide a quantitative understanding of gene expression.
Mathematical models elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms controlling gene expression.
A probabilistic framework explains both average and variable gene expression patterns across single cells.

Conclusions:

The synergy between imaging and mathematical theory solidifies single-cell analysis as a core component of systems biology.
This approach provides crucial insights into the stochastic nature of gene expression.