Once dismissed as “junk” DNA, ancient viruses embedded in the human genome play a key role in early human development, ...

A study reveals that ancient viral DNA, once deemed "junk," makes up nearly half of the human genome and plays crucial roles ...

A new study has revealed that "junk DNA" descended from ancient viruses could play a key role in controlling genes.

Ancient viruses left a legacy in your DNA. And it turns out, that legacy may be helping shape who you are.

An international team of scientists a family genome sequences known as “transposable elements,” and found they play a vital ...

Remarkably, transposable elements (TEs) are responsible for creating around 1/3 of all loop boundaries in the human and mouse genomes, and contribute up to 75% of loops unique to either species.

Transposable elements contribute to cell and species-specific chromatin looping and gene regulation in mammalian genomes. Nature Communications, 2020; 11 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15520-5 ...

These "transposable elements", so called because they are capable of moving around within and between genomes, generally represent a drain on the host's resources and in certain cases may lead ...

Transposable elements are also called selfish DNA parasites because they spread through their hosts, such as humans, animals, plants as well as bacteria and, thus, provide for their own survival.

In healthy cells, transposable elements (TEs) are typically inactivated by methylation. But in cancer cells, these elements can become demethylated, enabling them to be expressed (1). Some ...