Tn7: Smarter than we thought

A notable feature of transposable elements - segments of DNA that can move from one position to another in genomes - is that they are highly prevalent, despite the fact that their translocation can result in mutation. The bacterial transposon Tn7 uses an elaborate system of target-site selection pathways that favours the dispersal of Tn7 in diverse hosts as well as minimizing its negative effects.