Elizabeth H. Kellogg Lab

Transposons are DNA sequences capable of moving to different locations on the genome. These mobile genetic elements can either positively or negatively affect the genome due to their ability to modulate gene expression and/or recombination events.

Our laboratory studies a specific family of transposons which use guide RNA to specifically direct the insertion large pieces of DNA into a particular location on the genome. These transposons, called CRISPR-associated transposons, are found in bacteria and have the potential to be used as a scientific tool for genome modification.

We use a variety of strategies, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, high-throughput assays, cryogenic electron microscopy and computational approaches to better understand the structure of these mobile elements and how they achieve such specificity during transposition.

In addition to CRISPR-associated transposons, we study other transposon systems as well as other molecular processes that modify how the genome is read or written.