Gal4/UAS System

The Gal4/UAS system is a powerful genetic tool used to control gene expression in organisms, especially in fruit flies (Drosophila). It utilizes two components: the Gal4 protein, which acts as a switch to turn on genes, and UAS (Upstream Activating Sequence), a special DNA sequence that Gal4 binds to. By engineering flies to express Gal4 in specific tissues and pairing it with a gene of interest placed under UAS control, researchers can selectively activate that gene where and when needed. This method helps scientists study gene functions and understand biological processes in a precise way.