Gene Transfer, Horizontal
Synonyms
Gene Transfer, Lateral
Gene Transfers, Lateral
Horizontal Gene Transfer
Interspecies Recombination
Interspecific Recombination
Lateral Gene Transfer
Lateral Gene Transfers
Recombination, Interspecies
Recombination, Interspecific
The naturally occurring transmission of genetic information between organisms, related or unrelated, circumventing parent-to-offspring transmission. Horizontal gene transfer may occur via a variety of naturally occurring processes such as GENETIC CONJUGATION; GENETIC TRANSDUCTION; and TRANSFECTION. It may result in a change of the recipient organism's genetic composition (TRANSFORMATION, GENETIC).