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Nature 436, 184-186 (14 July 2005) | doi:10.1038/436184a; Published online 13 July 2005

Cancer biology:  Sleeping Beauty awakens

Keith C. Weiser1 & Monica J. Justice1

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Ancient jumping DNA found napping in fish has been revived and is being used to identify cancer genes in mice. But the benefits of this aptly named 'Sleeping Beauty' system could reach far beyond cancer.

Transposable elements are discrete pieces of DNA that can jump around in the genome of a living organism. These elements were initially discovered in corn through the Nobel-prize-winning work of Barbara McClintock1, and they have been found in organisms throughout the tree of life.