What is a selectable marker?
Q: What is a selectable marker?
A: A selectable marker is a reporter gene introduced into a cell along with a gene insert that allows the experimenter to tell if the right gene is in the cell because the marker can be seen or detected.
Q: For what types of cells is a selectable marker most often used?
A: A selectable marker is most often used for bacteria or for cells in culture.
Q: What is the purpose of selectable markers?
A: The purpose of selectable markers is to show the success of a transfection or other procedure meant to introduce foreign DNA into a cell.
Q: What technique are selectable markers used in?
A: Selectable markers are used in gene targeting and gene knockout.
Q: What are an example of selectable markers?
A: Examples of selectable markers include antibiotic resistance genes.
Q: How does the antibiotic resistance gene work as a selectable marker?
A: Bacteria that have been subjected to a procedure to introduce foreign DNA are grown on a medium containing an antibiotic. The antibiotic knocks out cells which do not have the resistant marker. Those bacterial colonies that can grow have successfully taken up and expressed the introduced genetic material.
Q: What is an alternative to a selectable marker?
A: An alternative to a selectable marker is a screenable marker, which allows the researcher to distinguish between wanted and unwanted cells.
