Empfängerbakterium

Empfängerbakterium is a German term that translates to "recipient bacterium." In molecular biology and genetics, it refers to a bacterium that receives genetic material from another bacterium through a process of horizontal gene transfer. This transfer can occur through several mechanisms, including transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

Transformation involves the uptake of naked DNA from the environment. Transduction is mediated by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), which can accidentally package bacterial DNA and transfer it to a new host. Conjugation, often referred to as bacterial mating, involves direct cell-to-cell contact where genetic material is transferred via a pilus.

The recipient bacterium's ability to integrate and express the acquired genetic material is crucial for the success of horizontal gene transfer. This new genetic information can confer advantageous traits, such as antibiotic resistance, enhanced metabolic capabilities, or virulence factors, thereby influencing the evolution and adaptation of bacterial populations. Understanding the role of the Empfängerbakterium is vital for fields like medicine, biotechnology, and evolutionary microbiology, as it sheds light on how bacteria acquire and spread new genes.