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Marker gene
When transferring genes, only one of 10,000 plant cells generally takes on the DNA with the new characteristic. For this reason, a marker gene is added along with the gene for the improved characteristic so that the transformed cell can be detected.
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Metabolic engineering
Metabolic engineering is the targeted modification of an organism or a cell, in order to optimize substance production in organisms such that the substances are developed in a greater quantity, a purer form or in a more favorable composition.
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Metabolism
One uses the term metabolism to describe all of the biochemical processes in an organism, e.g. the transformation of nutriments into autologous proteins or blood sugar. Metabolic processes occur in every living organism.
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Mutation
The modification of the genetic material by means of the replacement of nucleic acid segments. Mutations occur very frequently in nature; they may be spontaneous or initiated by chemicals or radiation. Mutations are the driving force of evolution. Today, it is possible to induce specific mutations by means of genetic engineering, e.g. in the field of plant biotechnology.
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Plant biotechnology
Branch of biotechnology in which classical culturing is optimized using molecular biological and biochemical methods. In this manner plants can be developed for more efficient agriculture, more healthy nutrition as well as for use as renewable resources.
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Promoter
The term promoter is used to describe control elements on the DNA that regulate the activity of a certain genetic section. For this reason, promoters are also known as "gene switches".
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