'''Molecular genetics''' is the field of Biology which studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. Molecular genetics employs the methods of Genetics and Molecular_biology. It is so-called to differentiate it from other sub fields of genetics such as Ecological_genetics and Population_genetics. An important area within molecular genetics is the use of molecular information to determine the patterns of descent, and therefore the correct Scientific_classification of organisms: this is called Molecular_systematics. == Forward genetics == One of the first tools available to molecular geneticists is the forward Genetic_screen. The aim of this technique is to identify mutations that produce a certain Phenotype. A Mutagen is very often used to accelerate this process. Once mutants have been isolated, the mutated gene can be molecularly identified. == Reverse genetics == ''Main article:'' Reverse_genetics While forward genetic screens are productive, a more straightforward approach would be to determine the phenotype that results from mutating a given gene. This is called reverse genetics. In some organisms, such as yeast and mice, it is possible to induce the deletion of a particular gene, creating a Gene_knockout. Alternatives include the random induction of DNA deletions and subsequent selection for deletions in a gene of interest, the application of RNA_interference and the creation of Transgenic organisms that overexpress a gene of interest. ==See also== *The study of macromolecules important in biological inheritance *forward and reverse genetics screens **RNA_interference **Gene_knockout *transgenics and Overexpression *mapping, cloning, and sequencing *Gene_expression **measuring **spatial and temporal regulation **cDNAs *Imprinting *bacterial and phage molecular genetics *eukaryotic molecular genetics ==External links== * Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer/dblinks.html {{genetics-footer}} Category:Molecular_biology Category:Genetics * El:Μοριακή_Γενετική Es:Genética_molecular Id:Genetika_molekular It:Genetica_molecolare Lt:Raidos_genetika Nl:Moleculaire_genetica Ja:分子遺伝学 Pt:Genética_molecular Th:อณูพันธุศาสตร์