Molecular Genetics of Development

Molecular genetic studies of development involve investigation of how changes in the structure and regulation of genetic material contribute to the formation of different body parts during animal and plant development. This study is of extreme importance as it can provide insight into how certain genes govern the control of development and the evolution of organisms. The use of molecular genetics techniques to study the development of organisms has revealed the specific genetic sequences and pathways which are responsible for different developmental processes. The applications of this knowledge range from understanding the role of genetic mutations in the etiology of birth defects to the development of new methods for drug delivery and gene therapy for the treatment of genetic diseases.