Gene expression

How it is used

Researchers measure, compare and regulate gene expression. Genes can be upregulated (expressed more) or downregulated (expressed less). Every cell in the body has the same genes, but different cell types express different ones.

Example sentences

1. We used qPCR to measure gene expression in treated and untreated cells.

2. Light switches on the expression of several genes involved in photosynthesis.

Common collocations

• regulate gene expression
• level of gene expression
• gene expression profile
• upregulate
• downregulate

Related terms

• geneA section of DNA that carries the instructions for making a particular protein or functional RNA. Genes are the basic units of heredity passed from parents to offspring.
• transcriptionThe first step of gene expression, in which the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into a matching strand of RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase.
• translationThe step of gene expression in which a ribosome reads the codons in messenger RNA and joins the matching amino acids together to build a protein.
• RNAShort for ribonucleic acid, a usually single-stranded molecule that carries genetic information from DNA and helps build proteins. It contains uracil instead of thymine.
• proteinA large molecule made of one or more chains of amino acids folded into a specific shape. Proteins build cell structures, speed up reactions and carry signals.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• gene expression · Genetics & Biotechnology

More terms: Genetics and Heredity

• DNA
• chromosome
• trait
• mutation
• meiosis
• allele
• genotype
• phenotype
• dominant
• recessive
• inherit
• nucleotide