Research Vocabulary

Backcross

A type of genetic cross in which a hybrid strain is crossed to one of the two parental strains.

Forward Genetics

Comparing to reverse genetic approach, in which mutations are produced by replacement of a gene, forward genetic approach uses mutagenesis to produce a gene mutation and perform screening procedures to study gene function.

Genotype

the genetic constitution of an organism, as distinguished from its physical appearance (its phenotype).

Heritability

The capability of a trait being passed from one generation to the next

Mutagenesis

Treatment of a group of cells or organisms with a mutagen as a means of inducing mutations.

Mutant

A term applied to a gene, phenotype or organism altered by mutation.

Phenotype

the observable properties of an organism; produced by the genotype in conjunction with the environment.

Phenotype-driven

Used by forward genetics, phenotypic screens are designed to identify heritable abnormalities of an organism which are mutagenized using a mutagenesis approach. The mutation is mapped and gene function is therefore discovered.

Progeny

Offspring or descendants considered as a group

Putant

Stands for putative mutant. Mice exhibit an altered phenotype, but the heritability of the phenotype is not confirmed.