transposable elements

Researchers report the discovery of a human 'jumping gene' — a transposable element able to move around the genome — found embedded inside a virus. The finding suggests genetic material can move between humans and viruses, shedding light on how genomes evolve and how viruses may acquire host genes. Scientists say it could inform understanding of gene transfer and viral evolution.

Researchers analysing the evolutionary history of 163 ant genomes, spanning most extant ant subfamilies, found periods of rapid species diversification over the past 100 million years were associated with heightened activity of transposable elements — DNA sequences that move within the genome. The findings suggest genome dynamics played a role in the evolutionary success of ants, one of the most dominant insect groups on Earth.