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Related Concept Videos

Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
What is Genetic Engineering?00:49

What is Genetic Engineering?

Overview
Transduction01:16

Transduction

Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome are...
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology01:59

Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

Risks from GMOs due to horizontal gene transfer.

Paul Keese1

  • 1Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, GPO Box 9848 Canberra, ACT 2601 [corrected] Australia. paul.keese@health.gov.au

Environmental Biosafety Research
|September 20, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the natural movement of genes between organisms. While concerns exist regarding genetically modified (GM) crops, HGT from GM plants is extremely rare and poses negligible risks.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the non-reproductive transfer of genetic material between organisms.
  • HGT occurs via various mechanisms, including conjugation, transformation, and transduction.
  • Ancient HGT events are evident in the genomes of most organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms and prevalence of HGT.
  • To assess the risks associated with HGT from genetically modified (GM) crops.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on HGT mechanisms and frequencies.
  • Analysis of HGT rates from plants to other organisms, including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses.
  • Evaluation of HGT risks from GM crops in comparison to background rates.

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VIGS-Mediated Forward Genetics Screening for Identification of Genes Involved in Nonhost Resistance

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Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining
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Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining

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Last Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

VIGS-Mediated Forward Genetics Screening for Identification of Genes Involved in Nonhost Resistance
08:17

VIGS-Mediated Forward Genetics Screening for Identification of Genes Involved in Nonhost Resistance

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Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining
08:31

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining

Published on: March 29, 2019

Main Results:

  • HGT is a common phenomenon shaping organismal genomes.
  • The frequency of HGT from plants to other organisms is exceptionally low.
  • HGT to viruses is possible but limited by selection pressures.
  • HGT from GM crops is expected to occur at rates lower than background levels.

Conclusions:

  • HGT from GM plants to other organisms presents negligible risks to human health and the environment.
  • Concerns regarding HGT from GM crops are largely unsubstantiated by scientific evidence.
  • Understanding HGT mechanisms is crucial for assessing ecological and health impacts.