Natural transformation can lead to exchange of DNA between taxonomically diverse
bacteria. In the case of chromosomal DNA, homology-based recombination with the …

We have investigated to what extent natural transformation acting on free DNA substrates
can facilitate transfer of mobile elements including transposons, integrons and/or gene …

Highlights•Natural transformation mediates the spread of antibiotic resistance
genes.•Natural transformation can aid gene transfer between unrelated taxa.•Natural …

Natural genetic transformation is the active uptake of free DNA by bacterial cells and the
heritable incorporation of its genetic information. Since the famous discovery of …

Bacteria can undergo genetic transformation by actively integrating genetic information from
phylogenetically related or unrelated organisms. The original function of natural …

Studies show that gene acquisition through natural transformation has contributed
significantly to the adaptation and ecological diversification of several bacterial species …

Natural bacterial transformation involves the internalization and chromosomal integration of
DNA and has now been documented in∼ 80 species. Recent advances have established …

Natural genetic transformation is defined as a process by which a bacterial cell takes up
naked DNA from the surrounding medium and incorporates it inheritably into the …

Highlights•Natural competence can lead to the transfer of large genomic
regions.•Competent bacteria protect incoming DNA from degradation.•Several drug-resistant …

Gene conversion is defined as the non-reciprocal transfer of information between
homologous sequences. Despite methodological problems to establish non-reciprocity …