Dr. Feng Zhang
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Core Member, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Investigator, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT
James and Patricia Poitras Professor in Neuroscience, MIT
Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Biological Engineering, MIT
Copy-Paste: An Exploration of Retrotransposons and Their Functions in Microbes and Man
Abstract: Retrotransposons, a type of mobile DNA element, are molecular machines that create an RNA copy of their genetic information, reverse transcribe that RNA copy back into DNA, and then paste the DNA copy into the genome in a new location. Retrotransposons originated from retroviruses that integrated into the genome of an ancestral host. Although they could be considered “parasites,” retrotransposons have been co-opted by their hosts, which range from microbes to humans, for diverse functions. In this talk, Zhang will discuss some of these functions as well as how these systems can be engineered for use as molecular technologies.
Co-sponsored by The Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
LOCATION:Science Center Hall D, 1 Oxford Street STATUS:CONFIRMED DTSTART:20250402T213000Z DTEND:20250402T223000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR