Every repeat is unique: Exploring the genomic impact of human L1 retrotransposons at locus-specific resolution

Abstract

Fully understanding the impact of the human retrotransposon L1 requires that each of ∼500,000 L1 copies be evaluated as a potentially unique genomic entity. In this issue of Cell Genomics, Lanciano et al.1 strive toward this goal, illuminating the reciprocal regulatory influence between individual L1s and their genomic integration sites.