# Hominoid-specific retrotransposons fuel regulatory novelty in early brain development

## TL;DR

This paper shows how specific genetic elements called L1 retrotransposons contribute to brain development in humans and related primates.

## Contribution

The study reveals a new regulatory role of hominoid-specific L1 retrotransposons in early human brain development.

## Key findings

- Hominoid-specific L1 retrotransposons have a cis-regulatory function in early brain development.
- CRISPRi-mediated silencing showed the functional importance of these retrotransposons.
- Multi-omics approaches identified their impact on gene regulation during embryonic stages.

## Abstract

Transposable elements can drive genetic innovation. In this issue of Cell Genomics, Adami et al.1 investigate the impact of hominoid-specific L1 retrotransposons on early embryonic and brain development. Using induced pluripotent stem cells and cerebral organoid models, multi-omics, and CRISPRi-mediated silencing, they uncover a cis-regulatory role for these young retrotransposons in early human brain development.

Transposable elements can drive genetic innovation. In this issue of Cell Genomics, Adami et al. investigate the impact of hominoid-specific L1 retrotransposons on early embryonic and brain development. Using induced pluripotent stem cells and cerebral organoid models, multi-omics, and CRISPRi-mediated silencing, they uncover a cis-regulatory role for these young retrotransposons in early human brain development.