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Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Transient Transduction of the Strobilated Forms of Echinococcus granulosus

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Published on: September 16, 2022

Protist Evolution: Stealing Genes to Gut It Out.

David Moreira¹, Purificación López-García¹

¹Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.

Current Biology : CB

|March 22, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes significantly impacts the evolution and adaptation of Blastocystis, a common human gut parasite. This study highlights its crucial role in metabolic development.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Evolutionary Biology
Microbiology

Background:

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in eukaryotes is debated.
Its evolutionary impact and prevalence are not fully understood.
Blastocystis is a widespread human gut parasite with an unclear evolutionary history.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role and extent of prokaryotic gene transfer in Blastocystis.
To understand the contribution of HGT to Blastocystis adaptation and metabolic evolution.

Main Methods:

Phylogenomic analysis of Blastocystis genomes.
Comparative genomics to identify horizontally transferred genes.

Main Results:

Evidence suggests significant gene transfer from prokaryotes to Blastocystis.
These transferred genes are linked to metabolic pathways.
HGT has played a key role in Blastocystis adaptation.

Conclusions:

Prokaryotic gene transfer is a major driver of Blastocystis evolution.
HGT significantly contributes to the metabolic capabilities and adaptation of this human gut parasite.