Genes are the basic units of heredity that carry instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. They are made up of DNA and are responsible for determining an individual's traits, such as eye color, hair texture, and susceptibility to certain diseases. Researchers study genes to understand how they influence an organism's characteristics and behaviors, as well as how they can be manipulated to improve health outcomes and treat genetic disorders. Gene research plays a critical role in fields such as genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and biotechnology.