gene transfer

American  

noun

1. Biotechnology. the insertion of copies of a gene into living cells in order to induce synthesis of the gene's product: the desired gene may be microinjected directly into the cell or it may be inserted into the core of a virus by gene splicing and the virus allowed to infect the cell for replication of the gene in the cell's DNA.

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Example Sentences

As it's common for hosts like humans or other animals to harbor more than one infection at once, there can be plenty of opportunities for gene transfer to occur.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

Now, in bacteria — which are a type of prokaryote, or single-celled organism — a lot of evolution happens by horizontal gene transfer.

From Salon • Oct. 14, 2024

This allows them to interact with other bacteria and exchange genetic material with them, through what's known ashorizontal gene transfer.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

Many species of bacteria exchange traits that are of evolutionary benefit via what is known as horizontal gene transfer, or recombination.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2024

"This indicates that the discharge from the electric eel promoted gene transfer to the cells, even though eels have different shapes of pulse and unstable voltage compared to machines usually used in electroporation," said Iida.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2023