Selfish genetic elements tagged posts

‘Supergene’ Wreaks Havoc in a Genome

Rochester researchers used fruit flies as model organisms to study Segregator Distorter (SD), a selfish genetic element that skews the rules of fair genetic transmission. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Biologists have used population genomics to shed light on the evolution and consequences of a selfish genetic element known as Segregation Distorter (SD). The researchers report that SD has caused dramatic changes in chromosome organization and genetic diversity.

The human genome is littered with “selfish genetic elements,” which do not seem to benefit their hosts, but instead seek only to propagate themselves...

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