Collection 

Transposable elements in health and disease

Submission status
Closed
Submission deadline

Transposable elements are DNA sequences which are also known as “jumping genes”, given their ability to move from one location of the genome to another. They are present in all eukaryotic genomes and constitute roughly 50% of the human genome, making up the vast majority of what is often referred to as ”junk DNA”. Transposable elements are broadly categorised into two classes: retrotransposons (requiring transcription before being able to transpose) and DNA transposons. Transposable elements are drivers of genetic diversity and modulate gene expression and shape the genome’s architecture. They play critical roles in early mammalian development, regulation of stem cell properties and immune function. Dysregulated transposable element expression and function causes human monogenic diseases, and has been associated with neurological disease, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cancer, and normal aging. Technological advances in genome sequencing offer unprecedented opportunities to understand the effects of transposable elements on evolution and disease.

This Collection will gather articles that provide insight into transposable element expression and regulation, the physiological impacts of aberrant transposable element activity, and methodologies that enable probing their function.

Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept

Editors

Collections articles undergo Scientific Reports' standard peer review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. This includes the journal’s policy on competing interests. The Guest Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Guest Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.

This Collection has not been supported by sponsorship.