Griffith (1928) was the first to observe gene transfer among bacteria (Streptococcus
pneumoniae), although he did not understand the mechanisms involved in this transfer (ie …

The release of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) into the environment is
possibly the single most controversial aspect of applied biology. Areas of research directly …

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 …

A major impact on the environment of the release of organisms containing recombinant DNA
may be the transfer of the recombinant DNA molecules from the introduced organism to …

Recent achievements in molecular biology have resulted in methodologies that allow
alteration of the properties of living organisms by genetic engineering. This approach has …

The frequency and mechanisms of gene transfer between microorganisms (and possibly
other species) in nature are not well understood. With the discovery of the phenomena of …

Three major systems of genetic transfer, conjugation, transduction, and transformation, are
recognized in bacteria and are used routinely in the laboratory as tools of genetic analysis …

From in vitro studies, bacteria are known to have several ways of exchanging genetic
information. The present understanding of the basic mechanisms of these gene transfer …

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemical nature of the transforming agent
and mechanism of recombination occurring in transformation. The investigation of …

Gene transfer in the environment has been identified as a process which potentially
enhances putative hazards of released genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) …