Significance of Horizontal gene transfer
Horizontal gene transfer is a crucial mechanism by which bacteria exchange genetic material, significantly influencing the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance. This process enables bacteria to acquire resistance genes from one another, facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance and virulence across different species. Methods like conjugation and transformation are key to this transfer, complicating treatment strategies for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Understanding horizontal gene transfer is vital for addressing the challenges of antimicrobial resistance.
Synonyms: Lateral gene transfer, Horizontal transfer, Gene transfer, Genetic exchange
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The concept of Horizontal gene transfer in scientific sources
Horizontal gene transfer involves bacteria acquiring genetic material from others through conjugation or transformation, facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance and virulence traits, significantly impacting bacterial adaptability and public health.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) A process by which bacteria can exchange genetic material among each other, contributing to the genetic diversity observed in Vibrio vulnificus strains.[1] (2) A mechanism by which bacteria exchange genetic material, allowing for the spread of traits like antibiotic resistance.[2] (3) The process by which genes are transferred between organisms, a significant mechanism through which CoNS may confer antibiotic resistance.[3] (4) A mechanism by which genetic material is transferred between organisms, particularly significant in bacterial plasmids and antibiotic resistance.[4]