Functional Analysis of Genes

Abstract

Summary The aim of this article is to present the current literature concerning the expression analysis and methods of functional characteristics of genes. The progress in the analysis of gene expression within cells or whole tissues is undisputed and leads to a constant improvement of our understanding of the function of particular gene. The traditional methods of the functional characteristics of genes such as homology, inactivation and overexpression are more frequently being replaced by microarray and DNA chip analysis, which are extensively supported by bioinformatics tools. Knowledge of the functions and changes in gene expression has applications in medical diagnostics, the pharmaceutical industry and in plant and animal biotechnology.