Alex

Biography

Approximately half of the sequence of human and mouse genomes are derived from mobile elements. Much of this DNA is no longer capable of mobilization but is likely “auditioning” for a role, for example, in homologous recombination or regulation of gene expression. Modern mammalian genomes also contain numerous intact copies of retrotransposon LINE-1 that utilizes RNA intermediate to spread about the genome.    Given the crucial role of germ cells in propagation of species, their genomes are particularly attractive for mobile elements. Uncontrolled activity of retrotransposons is known to cause mutations or even kill germ cells necessitating existence of specialized defensive mechanisms regulating 

Research Interest

Given the crucial role of germ cells germ cells