Genetic Exchange in Bacteria: Lederberg and Tatum’s Pioneering Work

  • It was once thought that bacteria can only reproduce by division, leading to identical genetic make-up within populations. However, the 1946 experiment by Lederberg and Tatum revealed genetic recombination in E. coli. They showed that bacteria can exchange genetic material by transferring pieces of DNA through a bridge-like connection.
  • In their experiments, they utilized two strains of E. coli that required specific nutrients. One mutant strain needed threonine, leucine, and thiamin, while the other required biotin, phenylalanine, and cysteine. After plating the cells on nutrient-deficient media, they observed the growth of some colonies.
  • Their research provided early evidence for horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, laying the groundwork for future studies in microbial genetics and deepening our understanding of genetic exchange mechanisms, ultimately contributing to the advancement of molecular genetics.

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