Figure - Horizontal Gene Transfer

Purpose

One picture for the three classical HGT routes and their clinical AMR relevance.

Used In

• Horizontal Gene Transfer
• Conjugation · Transformation · Transduction
• Plasmid · MOC - Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Learning Media Hub

Diagram

flowchart TB
  Donor[Donor DNA source] --> T1
  Donor --> T2
  Donor --> T3

  subgraph T1[Transformation]
    Free[Free DNA in environment] --> Comp[Competent recipient]
  end

  subgraph T2[Transduction]
    Phage[Bacteriophage] --> Pack[Packages bacterial DNA] --> Recip2[Recipient]
  end

  subgraph T3[Conjugation]
    Pilus[Direct contact / pilus] --> Plasmid[[Plasmid] transfer] --> Recip3[Recipient becomes new donor]
  end

  Comp --> Trait[New trait: resistance / virulence]
  Recip2 --> Trait
  Recip3 --> Trait
  Trait --> Select[Antibiotic selection expands winners]

Comparison Card

Route	Vehicle	Classic teaching organism	AMR yield
Transformation	Naked DNA	S. pneumoniae	Mosaic PBPs
Transduction	Phage	Toxin conversion examples	Variable gene move
Conjugation	Contact + plasmid	Enterobacterales	Highest for MDR plasmids

Quick Self-Check

1. Which route moves intact R-plasmids most efficiently in hospitals?
2. Griffith’s experiment demonstrated which route?