When a bacterium divides, all of the plasmids contained within the cell are copied such that each daughter cell receives a copy of each plasmid. Bacteria can also transfer plasmids to one another ...

However, plasmid copy numbers can fluctuate, causing inconsistent gene expression within bacterial populations. By balancing ...

"Our study brings about a novel notion that synchronizing DNA transfer with the bacterial motile lifestyle provides the plasmid with the advantage of spreading into remote ecological niches," said ...

The research is on plasmids, small, circular strands of DNA, that allow bacteria to share genes rapidly, and carry genes conferring antibiotic resistance.