HGT
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Biology
| Stands for | Horizontal gene transfer |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
HGT stands for Horizontal gene transfer, a biology abbreviation.
Movement of genetic material between organisms other than from parent to offspring, as when bacteria swap plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance genes. HGT happens by transformation, conjugation and transduction by viruses, and it blurs the branches of the microbial tree of life.
Example: HGT of plasmid-borne resistance genes spread carbapenem resistance between hospital bacteria.
Usage notes
Also called lateral gene transfer (LGT). Frederick Griffith's 1928 experiment with pneumococci was an early demonstration of bacterial transformation. HGT is less common in animals and plants, but roughly 8% of the human genome derives from ancient retroviruses that inserted into our ancestors' DNA.
Related abbreviations
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