What is the difference between a knockout animal and a transgenic animal?

Key Concepts

Knockout Animals

Knockout animals are genetically modified organisms in which a specific gene has been deliberately inactivated or 'knocked out.' This is typically achieved through techniques like homologous recombination, allowing researchers to study the effects of the absence of that gene on the organism's phenotype, behavior, and overall biology.

Transgenic Animals

Transgenic animals are organisms that have had a foreign gene inserted into their genome. This process often involves the use of techniques such as microinjection or viral vectors, enabling the expression of new traits or characteristics that are not naturally present in the species, which can be used for research, agriculture, or therapeutic purposes.

Genetic Modification Techniques

Genetic modification techniques encompass various methods used to alter the genetic material of an organism. These include gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, which can create knockout animals, and methods for introducing new genes, as seen in the creation of transgenic animals. Understanding these techniques is crucial for distinguishing between the two types of genetically modified organisms.