transposon

noun

1. A segment of DNA that can move to a different position within a genome, or to the genome of another species.

   “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.”