Matthew Blacksmith

Mentor: Kidd
Genetics and Genomics

Areas of Interest

LINE-1 and SINE retrotransposons are two classes of mobile elements which have utilized a copy and paste mechanism to massively amplify in mammalian genomes. My research seeks to utilize long-read sequencing to identify and chronicle previously undetected retrotransposon events in the canine model system.  The categorized elements will be used to identify breed specific mobile element insertions which help inform our understanding of canine breed development.