Model for Gut-Mediated Horizontal Transfer of Narrow- and Broad-Host-Range Plasmids.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a driving force of microbial evolution. The gut of animals acts as a potent reservoir for the lateral transfer of virulence, fitness, and antimicrobial resistance genes through plasmids. Reduced-complexity models for the examination of host-microbe interactions involved in plasmid transfer are greatly desired.