Signature Tagged Mutagenesis
This is a technique used to study the function of genes. A transposon, such as the Drosophilla Melanogaster P-element, is allowed to integrate at random locations in the genome of the organism being studied. Mutants generated by this method are then screened for any unusual phenotypes. If such a phenotype is found then it can be assumed that the insertion has caused the gene relating to that phenotype to be inactivated. Because the sequence of the transposon is known, the gene can be identified, either by sequencing the whole genome and searching for the sequence, or using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify specifically that gene.
Read more about this topic: Insertional Mutagenesis
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