Why the sex pilus is so dangerous - horizontal gene transfer

Horizontal gene transfer allows bacteria to swap genes, these speeds up the acquisition of new traits like antibiotic resistance. There are 3 main mechanisms: transduction, transformation and conjugation. But where are human pathogens picking up these genes? In our bodies? In rivers and oceans? Research funded by the NERC might help us find out. Here's the virus self assembly video with e magnetic model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X6qEE2fHvE You can buy my books here: https://stevemould.com/books You can support me on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/stevemould Just like these amazing people: Glenn Watson Peter Turner Joël van der Loo Matthew Cocke Mark Brouwer Deneb Twitter: http://twitter.com/moulds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevemouldscience/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevemouldscience/ Buy nerdy maths things: http://mathsgear.co.uk