Johns Hopkins scientists have transformed a common “jumping gene” found in the human genome into one that moves hundreds of times more often than normal in mouse and human cells. Writing in the May 20 issue of Nature, the scientists say their artificial jumping gene sets the stage for creating mice that lack -- at random -- at least one gene, without having to know in advance which gene is being “knocked-out.” Such random knock-outs have been critical in studying genetics of other critters and will help shed light on jumping genes’ effects -- past and present -- in human health and disease, say the researchers.
