The Genomics of Transposable Elements: Unmasking their Complex Contribution to Genome Function and Evolution

Course objectives and description
Genomics has revealed beyond any doubt that transposable element (TE) activity has significantly shaped the structure and function of extant genomes, ranging from bacteria to humans. Indeed, TE sequences are the main constituent of genomic DNA in many eukaryotic species and they have been co-opted at the macroevolutionary timescale to provide new protein functions as well as sequence motifs involved in the rewiring of gene regulatory networks. Ongoing TE mobilization is also an important generator of genetic diversity, with broad implications for health, disease and adaptation. Moreover, thanks to the epigenetic mechanisms that target them, TE sequences can influence the expression of genes in their vicinity in ways that are distinct from the effects of SNPs and other small size sequence polymorphisms. However, because TE sequences are typically present in large number of copies, which complicate their analysis, we still lack a comprehensive understanding and quantitative assessment of their multiple possible impacts in extant genomes.

Registration
Application deadline is December 4th, 2022. The registration fee is 150 EUR and includes food and lodging from Monday morning to Friday afternoon. Some travel grants will be available.

More information can be found on the poster (download below) and the School's website.