Kevin Gozzi
2022-present
Microbial Genetics & Physiology
kgozzi@rowland.harvard.edu
(617)497-4600
We study gene transfer agents (GTAs), a widespread but poorly understood mechanism of horizontal gene transfer. GTAs are bacterial-encoded virus-like entities that package random sections of the host genome for horizontal transfer to other cells in the population. GTAs are selfless, in that they cannot propagate like a typical bacteriophage. Instead, they appear to act as informed delivery systems to control species-specific transfer of genetic material. We aim to use our findings to discover novel GTA systems to understand their roles, diversity and portability across the kingdoms of Life.