Phys Org
By University of Sheffield
October 5, 2023
Grass may transfer genes from their neighbors in the same way genetically modified crops are made, a new study has revealed.
Research, led by the University of Sheffield, is the first to show the frequency at which grasses incorporate DNA from other species into their genomes through a process known as lateral gene transfer.
The stolen genetic secrets give them an evolutionary advantage by allowing them to grow faster, bigger or stronger and adapt to new environments quicker.
Understanding the rate is important to know the potential impact it can have on a plant’s evolution and how it adapts to the environment.