Gene mapping is the process of identifying and characterizing genes that are responsible for various physiological, biochemical or developmental functions or traits and to identify the sequence of nucleotide bases within a particular genome region.
Methods
There are two types of gene mapping; functional gene mapping and non-functional or linkage mapping. Gene mapping involves determining where a specific gene resides within a given genome, while gene mapping involves determining the locations of specific genes in relation to other genes/DNA sequences/molecules.
Difference Between Gene Mapping and Genetic Mapping
The term genemapping has commonly been used interchangeably with genomics (Germain, 2005). The field of genomics studies genomes. Genomic studies have focused on understanding genetics, i.e., how genes interact and what influences their interaction.
“Genome” refers generally to all the DNA in the body and not just the cells. Thus, one can also say that “genome” means “all” DNA. However, there is no direct relationship between the DNA sequences, which constitute an organism’s genome, and its functionality because each individual cell performs specific functions.
Therefore, it is important to understand what function each genome represents. Such knowledge would allow one to understand why some human beings have certain diseases and why certain animals develop certain diseases. Also, such information is useful for creating vaccines and developing drugs.
Genetic information is organized into chromosomes; they carry out the main functions of sex determination and reproduction. In males, the male sex chromosomes determine their sexual identity. All female animals have X and Y (or XXY) chromosomes. Male animals have only XY sex chromosomes. Both of these terms refer to the type of body part but cannot be used to describe different body parts. For example, we cannot use terms such as testicles and ovaries to describe the body parts. So when scientists want to study a disease such as cancer or diabetes, they do not usually use terms like testicles and ovaries. Instead, they focus on a chromosome and its corresponding protein. By studying these proteins, the researchers may know how it interferes with the operation of various organ systems within our bodies.
Gene
A “gene” is referred to as any genetic molecule that contains a specific sequence of nucleotides (amino acids). A “gene” in humans and many animals has two codons separated by three-and-a-half letters. Nucleotide sequences can also include adenine, cytosine, glutamine, thymine, valine, arginine or lysine.
“Gene” is defined as a set of instructions, or structural units that control the way other molecules behave.
A single gene encoding a whole class of chemical reactions (called enzymes) that make up a biological unit called a cellular organelle is called a coding gene. An enzyme is a substance made by living cells that carries out a specific reaction, while a coded molecule is a unit of instruction about how to carry out the reaction. Coding factors are present in nearly every living cell, organ cell, including bacteria and plants. These are known as regulatory elements or transcription factors. This property allows for the expression and regulation of specific gene expression patterns. Most types of genes encode products that are physically inactive such as enzymes and hormones.
Others encode products that are active (i.e., those that perform energy production, storage of nutrients, etc.). Many genes are transcribed from the same segment of a messenger RNA (mRNA).
For instance, the long-chain fatty acids that compose most steroid 0to produce enhanced characteristics such as athletic ability.
Benefits of Gene Mapping
A major advantage of computerized gene mapping is that it enables researchers to manipulate samples of DNA for further analysis. Several tools have been developed over decades to assist in the manipulation of DNA, including Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) and Restriction Digestions fragment length polymorphisms (RDs). RFLPs were discovered in 1980. They are short segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that are digested by restriction enzymes. RDs are longer fragments of deoxyribonucleic acid that contain variable lengths of identical, complementary DNA sequences.
More recently, advances in machine learning have resulted in algorithms that use artificial intelligence to classify the types of DNAs that are present in the genome.
Two important discoveries that have contributed towards making gene mapping simpler are Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms or SNPs. These terms refers to errors in the nucleotide sequence.