This conference provides a venue for cross-disciplinary discussions, with the goal of catalysing inter-disciplinary collaborations to address emerging questions in these scientific fields. Although often disparaged as “junk” DNA, it is now undeniable that transposable element (TE) activity has significantly shaped the structure and function of all genomes, ranging from bacteria to humans. TEs are major drivers of genetic diversity and contribute to human disease. Remarkably, recent research has shown that TE-derived sequences also can be co-opted by the host to play important roles in gene expression, early development, immunity, neuronal diversification, and, perhaps, aging.
Topics: The mobile genome, genetic and physiological impacts of transposable elements
