Reporter genes: flashlights in the laboratory

Authors

  • Dennia Fabiola Gómez Acosta Unidad de Biotecnología Vegetal, Centro público de Investigación CIATEJ, Jalisco, México.
  • Antonia Guitérrez Mora Unidad de Biotecnología Vegetal, Centro público de Investigación CIATEJ, Jalisco, México.
  • Rafael Urrea López Unidad de Biotecnología Vegetal, Centro público de Investigación CIATEJ, Jalisco, México.

Keywords:

Reporter genes, plant biotechnology, gene expression

Abstract

Reporter genes have become indispensable allies in plant biotechnology. They allow scientists to “see” what happens inside plants—how genes are activated, how roots grow, or how plants respond to stress. Examples such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP), the GUS enzyme, luciferase, and the RUBY pigment—originating from jellyfish and fireflies—literally illuminate otherwise invisible processes. Today, these tools are key to agricultural research, genetic improvement, and genome editing, enabling real-time visualization of cellular dynamics and gene regulation in plants.

References

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Published

2026-06-17

How to Cite

Gómez Acosta, D. F., Guitérrez Mora, A., & Urrea López, R. (2026). Reporter genes: flashlights in the laboratory. Revista De divulgación científica IBIO, 8(3), 315. Retrieved from https://revistaibio.com/ojs33/index.php/main/article/view/315

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2026)

Section

How does it work?

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