The Dynamic Genome
Introduction to Transposable Elements: Wessler introduces transposable elements (TEs); small movable pieces of DNA that can insert throughout the genome. She describes their discovery in maize by Barbara McClintock in the 1940's and their impact on the current study of genetics.
Wessler goes on to provide more details about TEs and transposase, the enzyme that facilitates insertion of TEs into the target DNA.
How Transposable Elements Amplify throughout the Genome: Amazingly, as much as 50% of a mammalian genome and much more of a plant genome can be made of TEs. In this talk, Wessler discusses work from her lab analyzing the impact of TEs on gene and genome evolution.
By looking for and finding a TE currently undergoing rapid amplification, Wessler and her colleagues have been able to assess how a type of TE called a MITE can rapidly increase its copy number without killing its host, rice.
Susan Wessler received her BA in biology from SUNY Stony Brook and her PhD from Cornell University. She is Distinguished Professor of Genetics at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).
(from ibiology.org)
1. Introduction to Transposable Elements
Wessler introduces transposable elements (TEs); small movable pieces of DNA that can insert throughout the genome.
2. How Transposable Elements Amplify throughout the Genome
Wessler discusses work from her lab analyzing the impact of TEs on gene and genome evolution.
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