Domestication and transduplication: The role of transposable elements in genome evolution

高等生物的基因组通常被认为是由基因组成的。但数量远远超过基因的是称为转座元件或转座子的实体。它们经常被描述为分子寄生虫、自私的DNA，甚至是垃圾DNA。它们与基因的不同之处在于，它们可以在基因组内移动，经常导致突变，并降低有机体的整体适合度。尽管转座子有“恶”的一面，但它们似乎也有“好”的一面。 想必是为了增强自身的自私行为，转座子为了寻找寄主的基因组序列，发明新的方法来逃避抑制，使寄主的天然免疫力得以传播。转座子通过一种称为转译重复的过程来做到这一点，在这种过程中，它们将基因组的一部分，甚至基因复制到自己的结构中。在大多数情况下，此活动不起作用。但在极少数情况下，有益的捕获物意味着增加转座子存活的可能性。基本上就是用宿主DNA来对抗自己。转座子也可以转化成新的寄主基因。随着转座子在进化过程中传播，绝大多数都会灭绝。基因组实际上是一个巨大的死亡转座子墓地。这些死亡的转座子中的一些被赋予了新的生命，成为控制发育重要功能的新宿主基因。因此，转座子并不都是坏的。 我的研究项目的目标是了解转座子在宿主基因组进化中的作用。换句话说，考察这个乍看起来像是奇怪的外星人实体的阴阳本质。此外，我的研究计划将成为一个开发副产品研究项目的平台，旨在利用转座子与其宿主之间的关系，在作物改良和人类健康等领域开发新的应用和技术。

The genome of higher organisms is commonly thought to be consisting of genes. But far outnumbering genes are entities called transposable elements or transposons. They are often characterized as molecular parasites, selfish DNA or even as junk DNA. They differ from genes in that they can move within the genome frequently leading to mutations and an overall reduction in the fitness of the organism. Despite this "evil" side of transposons, they appear to also have a "good" side. Presumably to enhance their selfish behavior, transposons fish for host genomic sequences in order invent new ways to evade supression, the host's natural immunity to transposon spread. Transposons do this through a process called transduplication where they copy parts of the genome, even genes, into their own structure. In most cases, this activity has no effect. But on rare occasions a beneficial catch means increase likelihood of transposon survival. Basically using the host DNA against itself. Transposons also can transform into new host genes. As transposon spread through evolutionary time, the vast majority die off. The genome is in fact a large cemetery of dead transposons. Some these of dead transposon are given a new life as new host genes that control developmentally important functions. Hence, transposons are not all bad. The goal of my research program is to understand the role of transposons on the evolution of host genomes. In other words, examining this ying-yang nature of what at first glance seems like a strangely alien entity. In addition, my research program will be a platform to develop spin-off research projects aimed at exploiting the relationship between transposons and their hosts for developing new applications and technologies in such areas as crop improvement and human health.