How does the presence of epigenetic modifications affect the accuracy and reliability of genetic analysis techniques such as DNA sequencing and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)?

Which of the following conditions is most likely to be successfully treated by gene therapy using a viral vector to deliver a wild-type copy of one gene that is present in mutant form in a person with the condition? Assume that the viral vector used has the ability to home to relevant target tissues. Also assume that the patient can be treated at a young enough age to avoid irreversible phenotypic impacts of the mutation described. Timothy Syndrome, a multi-system disorder characterized by dysmorphic features and autistic behavioral traits, caused by overexpression of calcium channel gene Cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a neurological disorder caused by a frameshift mutation knocking out the function of the ABCD1 gene encoding a lipid transporter Osteogenesis imperfecta caused by a dominant negative mutation in the collagen A1 gene Myopia (shortsightedness), a vision impairment with heritability estimates in the range of 0.6-0.8, where risk is impacted by at least 200 genes

Gene expression can be disrupted by techniques such as homologous recombination and RNA interference. What is the functional difference between these two methods in terms of the ultimate effect on gene expression? Why might homologous recombination or an alternative genome-editing method (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9) be preferred over RNA interference?

What is natural transformation in biology?