Functional and evolutionary roles of co-opted transposable elements

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The central theme of my research is to understand the role and impact of transposable elements in evolution especially their beneficial functions for the host. Transposable elements have likely been fundamental components of genomes since the inception of life. Their long evolutionary persistence is reflected in their high copy number in eukaryotic genomes, from a few percent in the genome of baker's yeast to making up the vast majority of the genomes of, for example, maize to our own. Transposable elements are distinctly different than "host" genes in that they are mobile and, whereas host genes evolve under phenotypic selection, transposable elements evolve under selfish selection. This provides a scenario suggesting transposable elements are at odds with host genes; in fact, transposable elements are commonly viewed as parasitic, detrimental, or, at best, junk DNA. Though this paradigm may still reign, increasing evidence now suggests that transposable elements may provide a benefit for the host and supports the view of transposable elements as shapers of genomes and gene networks.