Plasmid Conjugation (IMAGE)

Duke University

Plasmid Conjugation

Caption

This movie depicts the basic process of antibiotic resistance spreading through plasmid conjugation, otherwise known as horizontal gene transfer. Two strains of bacteria are grown together for four hours. One strain appears red and carries resistance to one type of antibiotic, while the other carries mobile genes that appear green and provide resistance to another antibiotic. After both antibiotics are applied, the red bacteria that have received the green resistance genes appear yellow and take over the culture because they are resistant to both antibiotics.

Credit

Allison Lopatkin, Duke University

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