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).