Horizontal Gene Transfer
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process by which genetic material is transferred from one organism to another, bypassing the process of traditional vertical inheritance from parent to offspring. HGT enables fast adaptation of organisms to changing environmental conditions, potentially leading to the emergence of new species of bacteria, archaea and even eukaryotes. The phenomenon is widely studied in microbial biotechnology, as it can be used to create more efficient bacteria for bioremediation, medical treatments, and other applications. HGT is also important in the investigation of microbial evolution and the spread of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microorganisms.
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