Nested gene is a term that refers to a gene that is located within another gene, essentially overlapping with what would traditionally be considered a single gene. Some synonyms for this term include overlapping genes, embedded genes, and co-directional genes. These are all different ways of describing the same basic idea - that one gene is located at least partially within another gene. Understanding these terms is important for genetics research and the study of gene expression since nested genes can have a significant impact on their host gene's function. Being able to accurately describe these types of genetic phenomena is crucial for scientific communication and collaboration.