PolyPhen

PolyPhen (Polymorphism Phenotyping) is a computational tool used by scientists to predict if a genetic variation (mutation) in a protein will affect its function. When a change occurs in a gene, it can alter the protein it produces, potentially leading to health issues. PolyPhen analyzes factors like the protein’s structure and the importance of the affected part to assess whether the mutation is likely to be harmful or benign. This helps researchers and doctors understand the potential impact of genetic variations on health, guiding further investigation or treatment decisions.