Transposable Elements and Noncoding Sequences in Insects

Dear Colleagues,

Transposable elements (TEs) and noncoding sequences are fundamental to the structure and function of insect genomes, playing crucial roles in genome evolution, gene regulation, and adaptability. Insects, as the most diverse group of eukaryotes, present a unique and rich landscape for studying these genomic components. The variety of transposable elements in insects, ranging from well-characterized elements like P elements and piggyBac to more recently discovered families, highlights their evolutionary significance. Similarly, noncoding sequences, including regulatory regions, repetitive elements, and noncoding RNAs, contribute to the complexity of insect biology, influencing development, stress responses, and species diversification.

This Special Issue seeks to explore the diversity of transposable elements and noncoding sequences within insect genomes, with a particular focus on how these elements shape insect biology and evolution. We aim to highlight how specific insect species have harnessed these genetic components for adaptive advantages, including in the context of insect transgenesis, pest management, and evolutionary innovations.

(1) Aim of the Special Issue:

To conduct an in-depth exploration of the roles that transposable elements and noncoding sequences play in insect genomes, emphasizing their functional diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and contribution to insect adaptation.

(2) Suggested themes and article types for submissions:

• The functional roles of transposable elements and noncoding sequences in insect genome architecture;
• The evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements and noncoding DNA in insect species;
• Interactions between transposable elements and regulatory noncoding sequences in insect genomes;
• The role of noncoding RNAs in the regulation of transposable elements in insects;
• Comparative genomics of transposable elements and noncoding sequences across insect taxa;
• Applications of insect transgenesis using transposable elements;
• Insect-specific transposable elements and their evolutionary implications in genome diversification;
• The impact of transposable elements on insect adaptation to environmental stresses;
• The role of noncoding sequences in shaping insect development and phenotypic diversity;
• The molecular mechanisms governing transposable element mobilization in insect genomes.

We invite original research articles and reviews that provide new insights into the complex interactions between transposable elements and noncoding sequences in insects, and their broad biological implications.

Prof. Dr. David S. Haymer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.