Integrons are genetic structures in bacteria which express and are capable of acquiring and exchanging gene cassettes.
This state is induced in the lab by incubating cells with calcium chloride before a brief heat shock, or by electroporation.
Once the plasmid has been added, the cells are grown in the presence of an antibiotic to confirm the uptake and expression of the new genetic elements.
[7] While CRISPR modification is still in its infancy, there is significant evidence for usage in combination with other techniques to produce high throughput (HTP) genome editing systems.
[12] The ability to transfer gene cassettes between organisms has played a large role in the evolution of prokaryotes.
[13] Horizontal transfer of genetic elements from non-pathogenic commensals to unrelated species results in highly virulent pathogens that can carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes.