This unique book explores the role of retrotransposons in human health and disease. The ability of retrotransposons to affect the structure of human genes is recognized since the late 80’s. However, the advances of deep-sequencing technologies have shed new light on the extent of retrotransposon-mediated genome variations. These progresses have also led to the discovery that retrotransposon activity is not restricted to the germline - resulting in inheritable genetic variations - but can also mobilize in somatic tissues, such as embryonic stem cells, neuronal progenitor cells, or in many cancers. This book covers topics related to the effects of retrotransposon insertions, and their consequences on germline and somatic genome dynamics, but also discuss the role and impact of retrotransposons sequences in a broader context, including a number of novel topics that emerged recently (long non-coding RNA, neuronal disorders, exaptation) with unexpected connections between retrotransposons, stem cell maintenance, placentation, circadian cycles or aging.

This book discusses advances in our understanding of the structure and function of the maize genome since publication of the original B73 reference genome in 2009, and the progress in translating this knowledge into basic biology and trait improvement. Maize is an extremely important crop, providing a large proportion of the world’s human caloric intake and animal feed, and serving as a model species for basic and applied research. The exceptionally high level of genetic diversity within maize presents opportunities and challenges in all aspects of maize genetics, from sequencing and genotyping to linking genotypes to phenotypes. Topics covered in this timely book range from (i) genome sequencing and genotyping techniques, (ii) genome features such as centromeres and epigenetic regulation, (iii) tools and resources available for trait genomics, to (iv) applications of allele mining and genomics-assisted breeding. This book is a valuable resource for researchers and students interested in maize genetics and genomics.

Thirty years ago we knew that retrotransposons made up at least half of our genomes, but little about their role in biology. The human genome has since been sequenced and the position of all retrotransposons in the reference sequence has been determined. However, as of today, the function of retrotransposons still remains elusive. We know much more about the diseases associated with their movement and the host defenses we all have against them.This volume explores an array of diseases in humans associated with L1 retrotransposon movement within the human genome, including some cancers such as colon cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.The chapters explore the diversity of retrotransposons, their different biological mechanisms, the role of L1 in their movement, and their contribution to human diseases. This book posits that somatic events caused by retrotransposons have implications for mosaicism and are often associated with cancers. Germline events are common, occur quite early in development, and are a cause of single gene diseases. All in all, the authors implicate L1 retrotransposons as major sources of human diversity and advocate for their continued study.

This book is about mobile genes—the transfer of DNA between unrelated cells. It discusses the machinery of gene transfer and its wide-ranging biological and health consequences. Mobile DNA makes possible the development of antibiotic resistance in microbes, the conversion of harmless to pathogenic bacteria, and the triggering of cancerous growth in cells. It also contributes to human evolution. This well-illustrated volume contains an up-to-date account of a topic now seen as increasingly important, and will be invaluable for both working scientists and as a textbook for advanced courses.

Genome Plasticity in Health and Disease provides a fully up-to-date overview on genome plasticity and its role in human physiology and disease. Following an introduction to the field, a diverse range of chapters cover genomic and epigenomic analysis and the use of model organisms and genomic databases in studies. Specific molecular and biochemical mechanisms of genome plasticity are examined, including somatic variants, De Novo variants, founder variations, isolated populations dynamics, copy-number variations, mobile elements, DNA methylation, histone modifications, transcription factors, non-coding RNAs, telomere dynamics and RNA editing. Later chapters explore disease relevance for cancer, as well as cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, inflammatory, and endocrine disease, and associated pathways for drug discovery. - Examines the role of genome plasticity across a range of disease types, from cardiovascular disease, to cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders - Adopts an interdisciplinary approach, with expert contributions across the spectrum of basic science and disease relevance to drug discovery

A new paradigmatic understanding of evolution, genetic novelty, code-generating, genome-formatting factors, infectious RNA Networks, viruses and other natural genetic content operators.