Date Approved
2006
Degree Type
Open Access Senior Honors Thesis
Department or School
Biology
First Advisor
David Kass
Second Advisor
James Vandenbosch
Abstract
Nearly half of the human genome consists of transposable element (TE) DNA sequences. Most of these sequences were derived from the process of retrotransposition. This term refers to a gene being transcribed into RNA, converted back to DNA and the copy integrated elsewhere in the genome. Short interspersed DNA elements (SINEs) from various rodent species were isolated, using PCR, with the intent of being incorporated into a plasmid construct and analyzed for retrotransposition efficiency. SINE copy numbers vary among rodents; therefore, efficiency can be determined by contrasting copy numbers in respective genomes in different rodents. In future studies, a novel cell culture assay approach will be used to determine the important features and efficiency for retrotransposition.
Recommended Citation
Radloff, Erin, "Retrotransposition efficiency of non-autonomous mobile DNA" (2006). Senior Honors Theses and Projects. 51.
https://commons.emich.edu/honors/51