Dr. Nancy Craig

Biography

Nancy L. Craig focuses her research on the molecular mechanisms of transposable elements and their roles in genome engineering. Her work investigates how these discrete pieces of DNA move between insertion sites across a variety of organisms, essential for maintaining accurate genetic information. Her studies include the bacterial transposon Tn7 and eukaryotic hAT piggyBac superfamilies, revealing their essential roles in DNA rearrangements that impact cellular processes and genome evolution. The research highlights the involvement of transposable elements in numerous human diseases and their potential in genome analysis and engineering. By exploring transposition mechanisms, Craig uses in vitro systems to dissect movements at a molecular level, establishing genetic models in organisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Her findings on hyperactive transposable elements contribute to the field of transgenesis and insertional mutagenesis, allowing for efficient genome engineering applications. Craig has established various methodologies facilitating research into the interactions between mobile elements and host DNA, further emphasizing the importance of host factors in regulating transposition. Her efforts include developing systems for site-specific insertion in bacterial and mammalian genomes, which hold great promise for future advancements in genetic engineering.

Research Interests