In the decade since Ty elements were discovered, advocates have argued they could be used as a genetic entrée to elusive host-type functions required by retroviruses. However, the advent of the polymerase chain reaction, coupled with a boom in funding for human immunodeficiency virus research have moved retroviral research apace, raising questions as to whether novel contributions would be realized. The past year, with the implication of the cell cycle and specific host proteins, such as the debranching enzyme and transcription initiation factors, in Ty retrotransposition has provided a positive answer and raised new questions.