Articles tagged with Transposable Elements
New nonviral gene delivery systems utilizing transposons provide a safer alternative to viruses, with potential benefits for treating fatal conditions such as cancer. The technology has shown promise in achieving stable expression of genes in animal cells and minimizing insertional mutagenesis risk.
A team of Cornell researchers has identified a previously unknown gene in fruit flies that appears to have been created from scratch around 13 million years ago. The new gene, called hydra, is functional and likely plays a role in late-stage sperm cell development.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the complex heterochromatin of fruit flies, revealing over 200 protein-coding genes and functional elements. The study sheds light on the critical role of heterochromatin in cellular survival and organization.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of California-Santa Cruz found nearly 10,000 identical genetic snippets that play a role in controlling when genes turn on and off. These 'regulatory jungles' are abundant near genes involved in cell migration and organ development.
Research suggests that non-coding RNA forms interact with each other and genes to manage the genome, influencing processes like embryonic development and cancer formation. The discovery of RNA editing mechanisms, such as ADAR and microRNAs, reveals a subtle level of genome control.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have invented two new gene 'chip' technologies to identify disease-causing mutations in the human genome. The TIP-chip can locate transposable elements that disrupt normal gene function, while a second chip contains twice as much genetic information, enabling faster and cheaper experiments.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate transposable elements in maize, which are believed to contribute significantly to gene and genome evolution. The project aims to create an annotated database that will aid future research on this crop plant.
Researchers found that three sunflower species arose from hybridization have massive proliferation of genetic elements, contradicting theory for diploid species. This discovery provides insight into the activation and proliferation of transposable elements in plants, particularly under abiotic stress conditions.
Researchers found that piggyBac transposon is five to 10 times better than other circular pieces of DNA at making a home and difference in several mammalian cell lines. This could lead to safer and more efficient gene delivery for therapeutic applications.
Scientists uncover the final steps of retrotransposon replication, revealing how they integrate into human genomes and contributing to genetic disease and genome expansion. The study sheds light on the mechanism behind the accumulation of millions of 'junk' genes.
Researchers identified long tracks of genomic segments devoid of transposable elements, known as TFRs, which occur across multiple species. These regions are evolutionarily conserved and associated with critical biological processes.
A collaborative project developed a way to study the function of genes in mice and humans using a moveable genetic element from moths. The technique, called piggyBac, allows for efficient genetic manipulation in vertebrates and mammals, enabling researchers to systematically understand the functions of mammalian genes.
A new technique called piggyBac has been developed to systematically inactivate genes in the mouse genome, enabling researchers to understand the functions of individual genes. This method uses a reliable gene-transposing tool that can insert itself into the genomes of human and mouse cells.
Research reveals bdelloid rotifers' unique ability to evolve without sex lies in their efficient handling of DNA transposons. These 'junk DNA' snippets are often a burden for species that reproduce asexually, but bdelloids handle them with relative ease.
Researchers at Duke University have identified specific DNA regions in yeast that are prone to breakage, mimicking cancer cells' chromosomal instability. By slowing down DNA replication, they found that certain retrotransposon sites become more susceptible to kink formation and rearrangements.
Researchers have discovered a link between DNA movement and the formation of antibody genes in specialized blood cells. The study found that a specific type of transposable element is involved in both DNA recombination mechanisms, shedding light on their relationship and potential role in cancer development.
Research suggests that retrotransposons, previously considered 'junk DNA', can initiate synchronous gene expression in mouse eggs and early embryos. This discovery may contribute to the reprogramming of the mammalian embryonic genome.
Researchers find that transposable elements, called Pack-MULEs, copy themselves prolifically and rearrange genes, making them newly discovered players in evolution. The discovery elevates these little-considered elements to potentially major players in the process of evolution.
Researchers discovered that a type of plant TE called MULEs can capture and fuse rice gene fragments to create new genes and functions. This process, known as Pack-MULEs, may be an important mechanism for evolutionary change in plants.
A team of researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has discovered a new genetic mechanism for evolution involving transposons and antisense RNA. Transposons can silence genes by inducing antisense RNA, leading to favorable changes in adaptation and survival.
Researchers at UC Davis suggest using transposons to introduce genes that block malaria in mosquitoes, which could spread through the population via natural selection and eventually eliminate malaria transmission.
Researchers have discovered six fly populations that live up to 12% longer than normal due to overexpression of specific genes involved in fundamental cellular processes, sparking hopes for similar effects in humans.
Researchers have discovered the first active miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) in rice, providing insights into genetic diversity and potential applications in crop improvement. The findings also highlight the importance of active transposable elements in generating tagged mutations that can reveal gene function.
Researchers found the first active 'miniature inverted-repeat transposable element' (MITE) in rice, which can move DNA to different places in the genome. The discovery provides new insights into how genomes change and what role transposons play in promoting plant diversity.
Researchers developed a mouse model to study L1 retrotransposition, a process that can cause mutations in genes. The study found that the mouse model mimics human L1 behavior and could aid in understanding how genes function and potentially lead to genetic therapies.
Researchers have discovered transposable elements in the malaria mosquito genome, which can be used to introduce new genes to block disease transmission. These elements can also serve as markers to distinguish between populations of mosquitoes with varying resistance levels.
Scientists found retrotransposons inserting DNA into chromosomes with a high frequency, causing deletions and inversions. The study suggests these elements have been remodeling host genomes more than previously realized, potentially increasing genetic variation.
Biologists found that nematodes use a sophisticated mechanism to render transposons harmless, preventing them from making proteins and jumping through DNA.
University of Minnesota researchers successfully genetically modify a mouse by injecting a transposon containing the gene for yellow coat color, utilizing the Sleeping Beauty transposase enzyme. This breakthrough technology has far-reaching implications for treating diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders, including hemophilia an...
Scientists have sequenced over 73,000 DNA fragments in the rice genome and found that transposons constitute less than 10% of the genome, scattered randomly. This discovery is good news for the completion of the rice sequence and could help locate new genes in rice and other important cereals.
Researchers discover that mobile DNA sequences, known as transposons, generate chromosomal inversions in the Drosophila fly. These inversions are found in small independent DNA sequences and have a positive role in evolution.
Researchers have created an efficient method to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) using transposon mutagenesis, allowing them to examine the effect of individual gene mutations on the bacteria's ability to grow or cause disease. This breakthrough enables the development of new drug targets and potential vaccine candidates.