Final answer:
To inactivate a gene to study the function of a missing protein, researchers use reverse genetics, involving techniques like RNA interference or gene targeting by mutating or deleting the gene. This can identify the gene's role by the phenotypic changes observed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method implemented to inactivate a gene when determining the function of a missing protein is known as reverse genetics. In reverse genetics, researchers start with a known gene sequence and alter it to assess phenotypic changes. This is often achieved through gene targeting, which includes techniques like RNA interference (RNAi) to silence a gene, or by employing recombinant DNA vectors to induce mutations or delete the gene from the organism's genome. These changes can help elucidate the gene's function by observing the resulting effects on the organism. High-throughput screening, involving automated technologies, allows for thousands of simultaneous experiments to collect data on gene function.
For example, scientists could attach known reporter genes like lacZ or GFP to the gene of interest, so the expression and effect of the gene in question can be observed through visual cues like changes in colony color or fluorescence under UV light. By inactivating the suspected gene and observing the phenotypical outcomes, such as a loss in pathogenicity, scientists gain insights into the gene's role in the organism. This knowledge can lead to advancements in biotechnology and medicine, such as developing targeted drugs more specific to genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis.