Isogênico

Isogênico refers to something that is genetically identical. In biology, isogênico organisms, cells, or tissues are those that share the exact same genetic makeup. This precise genetic identity is crucial for various research applications, particularly in fields like genetics, immunology, and cancer research.

The concept of isogênic lines is widely used. For example, isogênic cell lines are derived from a single cell and therefore possess identical genomes. Similarly, isogênic animal models, such as mice, are created by breeding or genetic engineering techniques to ensure they are genetically uniform. This uniformity minimizes genetic variations as a confounding factor in experiments, allowing researchers to isolate the effects of specific genes or treatments.

When studying the impact of a particular gene, using isogênic models is highly advantageous. If a researcher wants to understand the function of gene X, they can compare an isogênic line that has gene X with an otherwise identical isogênic line where gene X has been removed or modified. Any observed differences between these two lines can then be confidently attributed to the presence or absence of gene X. This high degree of genetic control is essential for reproducible and reliable scientific findings.