Ricky Padilla-Del Valle (they/them)

Research Summary

While mobile genetic elements inflate and sculpture the host genome, intrinsic genomic defenses arise in response to battle change and reestablish order. This co-evolutionary interplay allows pathogens like the retrotransposon Long Interspersed Element 1 (LINE-1) generate biologically expensive changes. As part of the McLaughlin Lab, I use evolutionary-guided methods driven by phylogenetics and experimental evolution to functionally access and describe the nature and dynamics of LINE-1 diversification and its consequences in shaping human genomes.

Rotation Labs