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Related Concept Videos

Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

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The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
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Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

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The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are...
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Genetic Screens02:46

Genetic Screens

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Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing  genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
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Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

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Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
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Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

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Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
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Related Experiment Video

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Engineering and Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus AAV Gene Therapy Vectors via DNA Family Shuffling
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Engineering and Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus AAV Gene Therapy Vectors via DNA Family Shuffling

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Library generation by gene shuffling.

Adam J Meyer1, Jared W Ellefson, Andrew D Ellington

  • 1University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.

Current Protocols in Molecular Biology
|February 11, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gene shuffling, or sexual PCR, creates diverse gene libraries from related genes. This method fragments and reassembles DNA, enabling the selection of chimeric genes with novel functions.

Keywords:
PCRdirected evolutionrecombination

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Genetic Engineering

Background:

  • Gene shuffling, also known as sexual PCR, is a powerful technique for generating genetic diversity.
  • It leverages information from families of related genes to create novel sequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the process of gene shuffling.
  • To highlight its utility in creating libraries of chimeric genes for functional screening.

Main Methods:

  • Fragmentation of related genes using DNase I digestion.
  • Reassembly of fragmented DNA via primer-less PCR (gene shuffling).

Main Results:

  • Generation of sequence libraries containing information from multiple related genes.
  • Production of chimeric genes with potentially new or enhanced functions.

Conclusions:

  • Gene shuffling is an efficient method for creating diverse gene libraries.
  • The resulting chimeric genes can be screened or selected for desired biological functions, facilitating protein engineering and drug discovery.