As the genomic sequences of viruses, fungi, and bacteria become ... and they can be part of a chromosome or found on separate plasmids. These islands often contain genes required for the pathogen ...

Certain antibiotic-resistant infections could be treated with precision medicine in the future, thanks to a new resource mapping plasmids the ultimate vehicle of rapid bacterial evolution.

Plasmids often carry genes for virulence, survival, or antibiotic resistance, improving the bacterium’s fitness. Multiple plasmids are often found in bacterial cells, and due to their complex genetic ...

Free DNA floats around, just waiting to be scooped up. Even viruses transfer DNA between bacteria. While the toxins important to plasmids do kill bacteria, their hosts can benefit from keeping ...