RESEARCH INTERESTS

Transposable elements(TEs) in plants with a focus on the characterization of active transposable elements and a determination of how they contribute to genome evolution and adaptation. To address these questions we use a combination of genetic, biochemical and genomic approaches.

MORE ABOUT TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS

TEs are genetic elements that can move (transpose) from one position to another in the genome.  They vary in structure, mechanism of transposition, and target site preference. Most TE families include autonomous copies that can code for the transposition enzymatic machinery, and nonautonomous copies that are unable to encode these enzymes, but that can still be mobilized in trans. TEs or sequences derived from TEs are believed to be ubiquitous in all living organisms.  However, the impact of TEs on the evolution of plants and other higher organisms has been the subject of considerable discussion and even controversy.