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Accepting Foreign Genes

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Abstract

Three recent papers underline the importance of the host genomic background in allowing the stable maintenance of horizontally acquired genes. These studies suggest that post-transfer changes in both host genome and acquired genes contribute to the stable integration of foreign genes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Grant of Spanish DGI (CGL2013-41375-P). The author thanks Elena Bulmer for English editing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Luis Boto.

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Boto, L. Accepting Foreign Genes. J Mol Evol 82, 173–175 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-016-9737-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-016-9737-9

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