Structural variation refers to differences in the structure of an organism's DNA that can affect its genes. These variations can include large deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations of DNA segments. Such changes can influence how genes are expressed and can contribute to genetic diversity within a population. These variations are important in fields like genetics and genomics, as they can be linked to various traits and diseases. For example, cancer research often investigates structural variations to understand how they may lead to tumor development. Understanding these variations helps scientists develop better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.