Year: 2022

ANCIENT MACHINERY. "Most of the DNA in our human genome is composed of largely but not completely, inactive copies of three distinct classes of transposable element, sequences of DNA that have accumulated over millions of years and keep replicating." https://lnkd.in/eVPv65H View in LinkedIn

JUMPING GENES. “A transposable element (TE or transposon) is a DNA sequence that can change its position within the genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell’s genome size." (TEs = jumping genes) https://lnkd.in/eVPv65H View in LinkedIn

TRANSPOSON CUT-AND-PASTE. "Not only can some TEs copy their own genomes — they can also copy and paste parts or wholes of adjacent human genes. And they can relocate or paste in the DNA where they want, including in the middle of other genes. TEs have played enormously important roles in shaping our evolution and some of these TEs are continuing to do that today." https://lnkd.in/eVPv65H View in LinkedIn

INTRONS. "These are sequences of DNA, within genes, which have no apparent purpose. You could think of introns as long commercials, in a language you don't understand, interrupting your favorite television show right in the middle of the action." https://lnkd.in/e8u5vxc View in LinkedIn

PRICE OF COMPLEXITY. "Introns are rare within prokaryotic cells. They are rare within the nuclear genomes of single-celled eukaryotes. However, within the cells of multicelled animals and plants almost every gene has introns." https://lnkd.in/e8u5vxc View in LinkedIn

TEXTUS INTERRUPTUS. "Introns are interruptions in the text of eukaryotic genes. Every time the genome is replicated, they are replicated right along with it. For Richard Dawkins, introns are an example of pure "selfish DNA," out for its own survival only." https://lnkd.in/e8u5vxc View in LinkedIn

MORE WORK. "But for the survival of any creature whose genes carry them, introns are a problem to solve. Somehow, at some stage, introns have to be removed before the ultimate product of the gene, the protein, can be made without error." https://lnkd.in/e8u5vxc View in LinkedIn

MORE WORK. "But for the survival of any creature whose genes carry them, introns are a problem to solve. Somehow, at some stage, introns have to be removed before the ultimate product of the gene, the protein, can be made without error." https://lnkd.in/e8u5vxc View in LinkedIn

MINIMAL CELL CREATED. http://www.nature.com/news/minimal-cell-raises-stakes-in-race-to-harness-synthetic-life-1.19633 View in LinkedIn

NEW TRANSPOSONS. "Eukaryotes contain numerous transposable or mobile elements capable of parasite-like proliferation in the host genome. All known transposable elements in eukaryotes belong to two types: retrotransposons and DNA transposons. Here we report a previously uncharacterized class of DNA transposons called Polintons that populate genomes of protists, fungi, and animals." (2015). https://lnkd.in/evfenaM View in LinkedIn