An international scientific project that compares the genomes of 240 living species of mammals has identified transposable elements (TEs)—genes that can change their position within a genome, creating or reversing mutations and thus altering a cell's genetic identity—as a crucial area of study to help uncover the evolutionary process of mammals and to better understand biodiversity. Stony Brook University's Liliana M. Dávalos is a collaborator in the analyses of TEs for the project.