transposon

1. (genetics) A segment of DNA that can move to a different position within a genome, or to the genome of another species.Examples: "2002, Ahmet Ipek, Introduction of an Ac/Ds Based Two-element Transposon Tagging System and Trans-activation of Ds in Carrot (Daucus Carota L.), University of Wisconsin–Madison, page 44, Transposon tagging is a powerful technique to identify and clone genes. The successful application of transposon tagging requires previous identification and cloning of a transposon in the species under consideration."; "An alternative approach to the use of retroviruses was to use a DNA transposon to integrate DNA into zebrafish chromosomes."; "Our genome also contains stretches of genetic material called transposons that, at least in some cases, are thought to have been introduced long ago by viruses."Synonyms: jumping gene, transposable element, TE