Transposable elements are abundant in the human genome, and great strides have been
made in pinpointing variations in these repetitive sequences using whole-genome …

About 8% of our genome is composed of sequences with viral origin, namely human
Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are relics of ancient infections that affected the …

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a β-coronavirus, is the
causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like for other coronaviruses, its particles are …

The placenta sits at the interface between the maternal and fetal vascular beds where it
mediates nutrient and waste exchange to enable in utero existence. Placental cells …

Abstract Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD; MIM 158900, MIM 158901) is caused by
misexpression of the DUX4 transcription factor in skeletal muscle. Animal models of FSHD …

Recent studies have uncovered myriad viral sequences that are integrated
or'endogenized'in the genomes of various eukaryotes. Surprisingly, it appears that not just …

During pregnancy the maternal–fetal interface plays vital roles in fetal development. Its
disruption is frequently found in pregnancy complications. Recent studies show increased …

The placenta is a transient organ that forms during pregnancy to support the growth and
development of the fetus. During human placental development, trophoblast cells …

The development of the emerging field of 'paleovirology'allows biologists to reconstruct the
evolutionary history of fossil endogenous retroviral sequences integrated within the genome …

The human genome contains a large number of retroviral elements acquired over the
process of evolution, some of which are specific to primates. However, as many of these are …