反向遗传学/反求遗传学（reverse genetics）

Reverse genetics is an approach to discovering the function of a gene that proceeds in the opposite direction of so called forward genetic screens of classical genetics. Simply but, while forward genetics seeks to find the genetic basis of a phenotype or trait, reverse genetics seeks to find the possible phenotypes that may derive from a specific genetic sequence enumerated during DNA sequencing.

反求遗传学是从所谓“正向遗传学筛查”的相反方向来研究基因功能的一种途径。只不过，正向遗传学研究一个表性或性状的遗传基础，而反求遗传学研究从DNA测序中计算出的一个特定基因序列的可能表型。(自己拙译)

The experimental procedure that begins with a cloned segment of DNA, or a protein sequence, and uses this knowledge to introduce programmed mutations (through directed mutagenesis) back into the genome in order to investigate gene and protein function.

在已知DNA克隆片段或蛋白质序列上引导程序性的变异（通过直接诱变）并返回到基因组，来研究基因和蛋白质功能的实验方法。