The Chuong lab is interested in the evolution of gene regulation in adaptation and disease. We are particularly interested in transposons - abundant "selfish" genetic elements which constitute over 50% of the human genome. Despite their parasitic origins, recent work suggests an important role for transposons in shaping the evolution of life on earth. Our interdisciplinary approach combines large-scale analyses of genomic datasets with hypothesis-driven experiments in mammalian cells, focusing on immunity and cancer.