Bacterial conjugation
Genetic engineering applications
Genetic engineering applications
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Conjugation is a convenient means for [transferring genetic material](/wiki/Genetic_engineering "Genetic engineering") to a variety of targets. In laboratories, successful transfers have been reported from bacteria to yeast, plants, mammalian cells, [diatoms](/wiki/Diatom "Diatom") and isolated mammalian [mitochondria](/wiki/Mitochondria "Mitochondria"). Conjugation has advantages over other forms of genetic transfer including minimal disruption of the target's [cellular envelope](/wiki/Cellular_membrane "Cellular membrane") and the ability to transfer relatively large amounts of genetic material (see the above discussion of *E. coli* chromosome transfer). In plant engineering, *Agrobacterium*\-like conjugation complements other standard vehicles such as [tobacco mosaic virus](/wiki/Tobacco_mosaic_virus "Tobacco mosaic virus") (TMV). While TMV is capable of infecting many plant families these are primarily [herbaceous](/wiki/Herbaceous_plant "Herbaceous plant") [dicots](/wiki/Dicot "Dicot"). *Agrobacterium*\-like conjugation is also primarily used for dicots, but [monocot](/wiki/Monocot "Monocot") recipients are not uncommon.


How does conjugation affect the target organism's health?