Summary of the science
The genome contains the genetic information used by cells to function normally. The genome is made up of a very long molecule known as DNA. Some stretches of DNA contain important, readable information that can be used to produce proteins, which have a huge range of uses at the cellular level - these are known as genes. Some stretches of DNA are mobile and can move into different locations in the genome - these are known as transposable elements. Transposable elements sometimes insert themselves into or near genes, which can affect the normal function of that gene. Sometimes, this can turn them into nonsense strands of DNA or it can add new information to provide new functions. Transposable elements can therefore provide novelty to the genome, both in good and bad ways.
About the research
Transposable elements are mobile genetic elements that can have various effects on the genome. As a result of their movement, they can interfere with native gene function by perturbing coding and/or non-coding sequence and thus act as an important driver of genomic evolution and novelty. The Feschotte Lab aims to understand the novelties transposable elements generate and the mechanisms by which they do so.
About the illustration
Transposable elements are mobile and prevalent in host genomes. We wanted to emphasise these features by encompassing the longer DNA strands with many transposable element sequences all in varying locations, which is made more noticeable by their contrasting white colour.