Transduction happens when DNA from one bacterial cell is transferred to another. One way this happens is through a virus. The virus takes the DNA from a bacteria and keeps it stored until it comes in contact with another. When the virus infects the second bacteria cell, it transfers the DNA from the other cell and causes a mutation of the second cell. The virus carries the mutated bacteria DNA with it to infect other bacteria and continues to mutate the virus. This is the reason that some viruses are difficult to treat. The virus continues to adapt to medications by changing constantly.
In some cases, the transduction is done on purpose. Scientists do experiments on cells to manipulate DNA and use the transduction process to bring a foreign gene into another DNA. The purpose of this is to find ways to help build stronger DNA or fix cells that are damaged in some way. This might enable scientists in the future to cure diseases that damage cells or fix a health issue in a fetus. Examples would include curing cancer or strengthening a vital organ. It might even be possible to help with HIV.
The DNA that is introduced to another bacteria during the transduction process has the possibility of doing two other things when it connects with the second cell. The new cell can break up the DNA for spare parts to be used when needed to repair damage. Or it can be a similar match to the DNA in the second cell, in which case the second cell will take the parts that have become stronger and discard the rest. An example of this would be if the parts from the first cell had developed a resistance to antibodies, the virus would implement those in the second cell.
Tags: second cell, transduction process