Jumping Genes and Human Reproduction
Our genomes contain thousands of mobile DNA “jumping genes”, some of which can cause genetic mutations by copy-and-pasting themselves to new locations in our DNA sequence. Jumping gene mutations have long been known to cause genetic disease. More recently, jumping gene DNA and RNA molecules have been linked to autoimmunity and inflammation because they are recognised by the immune system as “non-self” nucleic acids, by pathways that normally combat viral infection. Jumping genes are highly active in placenta during pregnancy, but their impact in this tissue is not fully understood.
This project will investigate whether too much jumping gene activity in placental cells can cause an inappropriate immune response, and how placental cells regulate jumping gene activity. This work will potentially reveal jumping genes as contributors to placental dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes.