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We study gene transfer agents (GTAs), a widespread but poorly understood mechanism of horizontal gene transfer. GTAs are bacterial-encoded virus-like entities that package random sections of the host genome for horizontal transfer to other cells in the population. GTAs are selfless, in that they cannot propagate like a typical bacteriophage. Instead, they appear to act as informed delivery systems to control species-specific transfer of genetic material.
We aim to use our findings to discover novel GTA systems to understand their roles, diversity and portability across the kingdoms of Life.