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BioEssays 10∕2014
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.201470101
Subject(s) - citation , cover (algebra) , space (punctuation) , computer science , biology , genealogy , genetics , world wide web , history , operating system , mechanical engineering , engineering
Take it up . It was recently shown that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) not only takes place in the form of long DNA fragments, but that it may also occur with short and damaged DNA (down to 20 bp in length). The integration of these short fragments is achieved at replication forks, and this process opens up the possibility for genetic exchange across distinct species in both time and space. On pages 1005–1010 of this issue, Søren Overballe‐Petersen and Eske Willerslev further elaborate on their findings and speculate on the potential evolutionary consequences of this phenomenon. Cover by Søren Overballe‐Petersen and Eske Willerslev.