Gene Functional Analysis
Gene Functional Analysis refers to the systematic investigation of how genes contribute to biological functions and processes, including their roles in health and disease.
🔬 Definition
Gene Functional Analysis is the process of identifying, characterizing, and interpreting the biological roles of specific genes or groups of genes. This includes studying their molecular functions, interactions, expression patterns, and effects on cellular pathways.
🧪 Key Approaches
- Gene Ontology (GO) Analysis: Assigns genes to known biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components.
- Pathway Analysis: Determines if genes are overrepresented in specific biological pathways (e.g., KEGG, Reactome).
- Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) Networks: Reveals how gene products interact in the cell.
- Knockout/Knockdown Experiments: Assesses the impact of silencing or deleting a gene.
- Expression Profiling: Evaluates when and where genes are active (e.g., RNA-Seq).
- Enrichment Analysis: Tests whether a list of genes is significantly associated with particular functions or diseases.
🧠 Example in Neuroscience
In the context of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), gene functional analysis might explore whether *neuroinflammation-related genes* are enriched in pathways such as:
- Cytokine signaling
- Oxidative stress response
- Blood–brain barrier integrity
This approach helps identify potential therapeutic targets and understand disease mechanisms at the molecular level.