Satellite DNA

Once considered genomic “junk,” repetitive sequences in DNA are being discovered to have important roles in our biology. Whitehead Institute researchers are investigating different types of these repeated sequences, from repetitive DNA regions to excessive repeats within genes, in order to understand what roles they play in cells and how they contribute to health and disease.

Tomo Kumon is a postdoc in Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita’s lab studying the function of repetitive DNA. We sat down with Tomo to learn more about him and his experiences in and out of the lab.