Homonym: ChIP (Technology)
ChIP, or Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, is a laboratory technique used to study the interaction between proteins and DNA within cells. It allows researchers to identify specific regions of the genome where proteins, such as transcription factors, bind to DNA. This process helps in understanding gene regulation and the role of various proteins in cellular functions.
The ChIP technique involves cross-linking proteins to DNA, shearing the DNA into smaller fragments, and then using antibodies to isolate the protein-DNA complexes. After purification, the DNA can be analyzed through methods like PCR or sequencing to determine the binding sites of the proteins of interest.