Mobile Genetic Elements

Nature has evolved an efficient way to write genes: mobile genetic elements

In recent years, we’ve made extraordinary leaps in genetic medicine, with two pillar technologies emerging: gene therapy and gene editing. While these methods are offering potential cures for select diseases, they are not without significant limitations.

By harnessing mobile genetic elements or MGEs, we can efficiently write DNA into the human genome

Our Genome

MGEs have already proven themselves to be extremely productive at engineering our genome. In fact, roughly fifty percent of our genome is comprised of mobile genetic element-derived DNA.

Exploring the Mobile Genetic Element toolbox

Diverse and effective ways to alter the genome

MGEs have evolved diverse ways to copy and insert themselves into our DNA—writing both large and small alterations to the human genome both randomly and at specific sites.

In retrotransposition, mobile genetic element DNA is transcribed from a genomic origin site and then reverse-transcribed into a target site in the genome.
In transposition, mobile genetic element DNA is cut out of the genomic origin site and then pasted into a target site in the genome.
In recombination, mobile genetic element DNA is directly exchanged between an origin site and a target site in the genome.

Mobile genetic elements make Gene Writing possible

Our stepwise approach

We are harnessing MGEs to create the most effective Gene Writing™ technology using a combination of computational tools and wet-lab approaches. The result is a powerful and broadly applicable platform designed to transform the genetic medicine landscape. Over 100,000 candidate elements have been evaluated and fed back into our search program to enhance our understanding of MGEs. Our database of candidates continues to grow.

Search

Understand

Evaluate

Building the definitive Gene Writing™ technology