04/04/2025
While studying chromosome breakage in maize during the 1940s and 1950s, she observed that some genes could move to different locations within the genome, challenging the widely held belief that genes were fixed in a linear arrangement on chromosomes. She coined the term "transposons" to describe these mobile genetic elements, which influence gene expression and contribute to genetic variation. At the time, her findings were met with skepticism, as they contradicted the prevailing understanding of genetics. However, decades later, her research gained widespread recognition, leading to her being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983, making her the first woman to receive the honor unshared. Her groundbreaking work reshaped our understanding of genome flexibility, influencing fields such as evolution, gene regulation, biotechnology, and even disease research. Today, transposable elements are recognized as a fundamental aspect of eukaryotic genomes, playing a crucial role in genetic diversity and adaptation.