gene amplification

noun

, Genetics.

1. an increase in the frequency of replication of a DNA segment.
2. such an increase induced by a polymerase chain reaction.

gene amplification

1. An increase in the number of copies of a gene in a cell, resulting in an elevation in the level of the RNA or protein encoded for by the gene and a corresponding amplification of the phenotype that the gene confers on the cell. Drug resistance in cancer cells is linked to amplification of the gene that prevents absorption of the chemotherapeutic agent by the cell.

gene amplification

1. A process in a cell by which a particular gene is replicated so that more copies are available to produce a protein for the cell's use. For example, the genes that code for proteins involved in ribosomes are amplified early in the process of cell development so that there are sufficient numbers of them to assemble the cell.

Notes

PCR , polymerase chain reaction , can be considered a type of man-made gene amplification process.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gene amplification¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The study demonstrates that these two mechanisms and a third known mechanism involving gene amplification, can operate in parallel in the same bacterial cell.

From Science Daily

Blancafort pointed out that this gene amplification also exists in prostate, ovarian, lung and other types of cancer, acting as a sort of shield that protects cancer cells from medicines that try to destroy them.

From Salon

Remember that PCR gene amplification techniques were only coming into their own when these studies were conducted.

From Forbes

For example, complex patterns of HER2 gene amplification detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization are seen in breast and gastro-oesophageal cancers.

From Nature

Dr. Brown was cited for his discovery, with others, of gene amplification of ribosomal RNA genes, a phenomenon later found to play a role in the uncontrolled growth of cells and in their resistance to chemotherapy.

From New York Times