Gene expression is the process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product such as a protein. This process involves multiple steps, including transcription (the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template) and translation (the synthesis of protein from an mRNA template). Gene expression is tightly regulated and can be influenced by various factors such as environmental signals, developmental cues, and epigenetic modifications. Studying gene expression is crucial for understanding how genetic information is utilized by cells and organisms to carry out their functions, and how dysregulation of gene expression can lead to diseases such as cancer. Techniques such as gene expression profiling, RNA sequencing, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are commonly used to study gene expression patterns in research.