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AAT Bioquest

What is bacterial transformation?

Posted February 23, 2024


Answer

Bacterial transformation refers to the uptake of free DNA molecules from the extracellular environment through the cell wall. In this process, a donor bacterium releases DNA into the extracellular environment. This free DNA is assimilated into the recipient bacterium, resulting in the expression of new traits in the recipient bacterium.   

Additional resources

Bacterial Transformation Buffers Environmental Fluctuations through the Reversible Integration of Mobile Genetic Elements

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