Evaluation of biological and physical protection against nuclease degradation of clay-bound plasmid DNA

Article Abstract:

Plasmid DNA adsorbed on clay particles was used as a model for bacterial transformation in soils, specifically the protection mechanisms. An increase in nuclease concentrations was found to physically protect clay-bound DNA, with the protection mechanism correlating to nuclease adsorption.

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Natural transformation of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in soil

Article Abstract:

Both Pseudomonas fluorescens and Agrobacterium tumefaciens can undergo natural transformation in soil in the absence of any physical or chemical treatment. Soil contains large amounts of extracellular DNA, which can persist for months.

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Laboratory-scale evidence for lightning-mediated gene transfer in soil

Article Abstract:

Lightning-induced genetic transduction may play a role in the evolution of bacteria. Researchers created laboratory-scale lightning and found that three genes for antibiotic resistance were inserted in Escherichia coli in soil samples exposed to the lightning.

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