Happy New Year everybody! I thought I would kick off with a few posts about what transposable elements are, the specific types that I study, and why Anolis offers an interesting system that is worthy of attention.

One very important first step is to discuss (or get out of the way) the difference between DNA, genomes, and genes.

DNA is a molecule that is found on chromosomes within the nucleus of every cell  in every living thing (with few exceptions, such as mammalian red blood cells). It is the basic unit of heredity: you got all of your DNA from your mom and your dad, who got their DNA from their moms and dads, and so on.

All the DNA found in the cell nucleus is referred to as the genome (phew, that was a simple definition).

The most widely accepted definition of a gene is a portion of DNA that contains the correct code for creating proteins – essential for making an organism. How does that work? Well, it’s complicated, involving cellular machinery. Here is an awesome PBS video that describes it really well. Basically, genes contain the biological information necessary for organismal growth, development, and function.

Only a very small percentage of the DNA in the genome is actually in the form of protein-coding genes (at least in eukaryotes – viruses and bacteria tend to be very gene-dense). To get an idea of the scale I am talking about, this animation does a good job.

So what is all this other DNA that doesn’t code for proteins, and what is doing in our genomes? As a brief preview, transposable elements play a major role in this, but more on that in future posts.

Don’t forget to drive safely tonight, or not at all!

P.S. – For a cute slide show on the history (and science) behind the discovery of DNA, go to this link and click on the animation button.