"Unveiling DNA Secrets with the Genomic Time Machine"

Researchers have used reconstructed ancestral genomes from various species as a "genomic time machine" to identify previously undetectable degenerate transposable elements (TEs) in the human genome. This approach allowed them to uncover a larger number of TEs than previously known, significantly contributing to the share of human DNA contributed by TEs. The study's findings could lead to better understanding of TEs and their regulatory roles, potentially providing insights into human diseases influenced by genetic factors, such as cancer, autoimmune and metabolic disorders, and the body's response to environmental stresses and aging.