Transgene Design

Abstract

The exact structure of a microinjection transgene depends entirely on the aims of a particular experiment. In this context, reference to the chapters on the applications of transgenesis and technical details of transgenes described in references therein are highly recommended (see Chapters 2–5). However, certain general rules should be considered when designing a construct for eventual introduction into a transgenie organism. A transgene should operate like any other gene in the targeted cells of an organism, and hence, structural elements must be appropriately recognized by the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational machinary of the host. A comprehensive review of the mechanisms of gene control is beyond the scope of the present volume, but the following points are indicative of the type of considerations that should contribute to the design of a transgene.