The concept of mobile DNA is rooted in Barbara McClintock's discovery of transposable controlling elements in maize in the 1940s. Using a purely genetic approach, she demonstrated that there are elements that can transpose to new chromosomal locations, influencing the expression of a given gene when integrated into or nearby, and cause chromosome breakage and chromosomal rearrangements.

This volume provides insight into the current state of transposon research, from bacteria to animals and plants. Thus, general mechanistic principles of transposition will become obvious from the variety of systems included. The regulation of transposition and its biological consequences and how transposable elements can be exploited as potent experimental tools are described.