What is gene expression?

Gene expression is fundamentally the process by which the information contained within a gene is utilized to produce a functional product, typically a protein. This process begins when the DNA of a specific gene is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). The mRNA then undergoes translation at the ribosome, where the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is decoded to assemble a chain of amino acids, forming a protein.

This mechanism is essential for various cellular functions, development, and responses to environmental changes, as proteins play critical roles in the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Understanding gene expression is crucial for fields such as genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, since it reveals how genes influence both physiological traits and the development of certain diseases.