Haig Kazazian, Jr., from the Department of Genetics of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA, will give a talk entitled “Biology of human L1 retrotransposon” on Friday June 26 at 12:00 at the lecture room 473.10 of the PRBB (C/ Dr. Aiguader, 88). He was invited by Xavier Estivill (CRG).

Kazazian has a interest in the nature of retrotransposable elements in humans. He studies population genetics of active L1 retrotransposons in humans and how the individual differences in retrotransposition capability have global effects on genome diversity and human evolution. He is also using a mouse model of human L1 retrotransposition as a tool for insertional mutagenesis and discovery of gene function. Last but not least, he is undergoing preclinical trials of adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy of hemophilia A, a disease caused by retrotransposons, in mice and dogs.