gene amplification

Gene amplification is a process where a specific gene’s DNA copy number increases within a cell, resulting in multiple copies of that gene. This can lead to higher production of the gene’s associated protein. In normal cells, each gene typically exists in two copies, but in certain conditions like cancer, some genes become amplified, which can drive abnormal cell growth or behavior. Amplification occurs through mechanisms such as DNA duplication or chromosomal rearrangements, and it plays a significant role in disease development and treatment response.