PubHawk
March 2015 PMID 25785303

Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes.

Alastair Crisp, Chiara Boschetti, Malcolm Perry, Alan Tunnacliffe, Gos Micklem

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Mentions

173
Peak: 14 in Nov 2019
across 7 sources since Mar 2015

Extended reach

590,025
potential audience

Total likes

3,772

Video views

167,652

Mentions per month

Mar 2015 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter56 posts
  • News48 articles
  • Facebook42 posts
  • Blogs15 articles
  • YouTube8 videos
  • Reddit3 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone combines curiosity and support, exemplified by posts referencing scientific studies like Crisp et al. (2015) and discussing the presence of foreign genes in genomes, which shows active engagement with the research findings. The tone varies from informative to skeptical, especially when clarifying that HGT is not widespread in humans, reflecting a mix of analytical and clarifying perspectives.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is more common in animals and other organisms than previously believed, showing a consensus about its significance.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with many wanting to learn more, referencing specific studies, and engaging with educational content about HGT.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants actively quote research, share opinions, and challenge misconceptions, indicating a moderate level of deep discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight the potential for new insights into evolutionary biology and the significance of HGT, though some posts clarify that it is not prevalent in humans, indicating a recognition of nuanced impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Vertical gene transfer is the traditional method of DNA inheritance from parent to offspring, while horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genetic material to be exchanged among different species, primarily observed in bacteria and less established in higher organisms.
  • Recent analyses of genomes from 26 animal species, including primates and flies, reveal that HGT has contributed many active 'foreign' genes, mainly related to metabolism, with ongoing acquisition in species like fruit flies and nematodes, but limited gene exchange in humans and primates.
  • The findings support the notion that HGT plays a significant role in animal evolution and biochemical diversity, challenging previous beliefs about the extent of HGT in humans.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Pieter Borger
@BorgerPieter · X

In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het oppervlak verborgen. Ik voorspel dat ad hoc-verklaringen in toenemende mate het licht zullen zien om Darwins model te redden." (p135) https://t.co/wb7wp4mzph

Jul 14, 2023 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 30,231 followers View post →
Billy Bostickson
@BillyBostickson · X

39. Horizontal Gene Transfer The next set of tweets will examine the phenomenon of "horizontal gene transfer" between viruses and between hosts and viruses. For an introduction, please watch the video here: https://t.co/sOoetD5ceM

Jul 15, 2020 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 18,502 followers View post →
Evolutionary Genomics
@evol_genomics · X

Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FPZZHO5W9Z Horizontal gene transfer is not a hallmark of the human genome https://t.co/TaGAnWo7en @GenomeBiology #TE #transposon #humangenome

Apr 28, 2019 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 4,976 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for advising on this one! Your help really made this a powerful lesson!

Nov 14, 2019 · 8 likes · 5 shares · 4,560 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

In plants and animals, most genes are passed from parent to child. Sometimes, however, genes can spread between unrelated individuals. https://t.co/anqQ5sghWs https://t.co/Fe8pI8xobw

Sep 26, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 4,560 followers View post →
Val Giddings
@prometheusgreen · X

@FoEEmergingTech @Godwin_UQ @gmopundit @RichardDiNatale @larissawaters @AdamBandt @Olivefarmer Everything genetic engineers do they learned how by finding it already being done in nature by Mother Nature herself. https://t.co/WTmXT6NjHl & https://t.co/oEyDgsQHYd & https://t.co/nPOA1kdnFK & https://t.co/HePg9KdA2s

Aug 5, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 5,453 followers View post →

All mentions

Val Giddings
@prometheusgreen · X

"We argue that [Horizontal Gene Transfer] has occurred, and continues to occur, on a previously unsuspected scale in metazoans and is likely to have contributed to biochemical diversification during animal evolution." https://t.co/HePg9KdA2s & https://t.co/hpf9mxlbCB

Jul 7, 2025 · 5,453 followers View post →
pshs04
@pshs04 · X

https://t.co/RIM83mBrcr They found fungi genes in the human genome

Mar 6, 2025 · 2,573 followers View post →
Simon Maechling
@simonmaechling · X

https://t.co/rMBjWygvoc https://t.co/OCZjO5vAIr

Sep 13, 2024 · 1 like · 24,883 followers View post →
Simon Maechling
@simonmaechling · X

https://t.co/rMBjWygvoc

May 17, 2024 · 3 likes · 24,883 followers View post →
Ghana Science Association
@ScienceGhana · X

Further reading: Crisp et al., 2015 https://t.co/r3RKlec1O9 Good morning Follow the Ghana Science Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X https://t.co/cYCRDRgX6Y https://t.co/uV5LyHj5Oo https://t.co/Zb9IE7Bq0g https://t.co/ZFyEZfkNoR

May 14, 2024 · 606 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

@Coelacanthuss Sort of? But not in the way you might be thinking. He hammered home that horizontal gene transfer happens, meaning a percentage of an organism's genome shouldn't follow the tree of the rest of the genome & he claimed this would be extreme in protocells. https://t.co/vz6FLbcYaS

Apr 3, 2024 · 4,560 followers View post →
Brian Crabtree
@ourtown2 · X

@notverygoodtake Researchers now accept that around one per cent of the human genome could have been transferred from plants https://t.co/diRxz6Yhy4

Dec 9, 2023 · 1 like · 221 followers View post →
Rene Doo
@Rene_Doo · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 409 followers View post →
Taliesin
@tlsn0085 · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 413 followers View post →
El Atenuador.
@EduardoLuger · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 2,389 followers View post →
MA Frederick
@klaagblondy · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 991 followers View post →
Robins View
@Robin52119361 · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 270 followers View post →
Frederik van Holland
@FrederikHolland · X

RT @BorgerPieter: In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het op…

Jul 14, 2023 · 6 shares · 1,197 followers View post →
Pieter Borger
@BorgerPieter · X

In 2009 schreef ik in TndO mbt HGT: "Het kan bijna niet anders of er liggen nog meer van zulke verrassingen onder het oppervlak verborgen. Ik voorspel dat ad hoc-verklaringen in toenemende mate het licht zullen zien om Darwins model te redden." (p135) https://t.co/wb7wp4mzph

Jul 14, 2023 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 30,231 followers View post →
David States MD PhD
@statesdj · X

@mononokle In the 1970s, Jeremy Rifkin argued that moving genes from one species to another violated a fundamental law of nature. He was wrong. Horizontal gene transfer between species happens all the time, even in animals, but he created a durable trope https://t.co/oDfHxXd5j4

May 2, 2023 · 2 likes · 10,070 followers View post →
Helen Gurova
@evgurova · X

RT @BillyBostickson: 39. Horizontal Gene Transfer The next set of tweets will examine the phenomenon of "horizontal gene transfer" between…

Nov 2, 2022 · 5 shares · 784 followers View post →
Renee LeTissier Boogren (she/her)
@rletissier · X

RT @StatedClearly: In plants and animals, most genes are passed from parent to child. Sometimes, however, genes can spread between unrelate…

Sep 26, 2022 · 1 share · 498 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

In plants and animals, most genes are passed from parent to child. Sometimes, however, genes can spread between unrelated individuals. https://t.co/anqQ5sghWs https://t.co/Fe8pI8xobw

Sep 26, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 4,560 followers View post →
Lee Stevenson
@bashuser · X

If plant DNA gets integrated with human DNA then what is happening to the peoples DNA that eat GMOs? https://t.co/aqRqpV2pH5

Aug 31, 2022 · 1 like · 1,673 followers View post →
Willie Stellson
@MayorDadler · X

@AtxCobia @paulandrew_fc @APrecourt @AustinFC Holy shit you have a multiple master's degree in science? My god you must make so much money!!!!! Too bad your degrees don't mean shit if you can't read actual science. https://t.co/rBcLQLcCAR

Jul 6, 2022 · 685 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

@ArlinStoltzfus @OscardelaCroixS @sanewman1 Here are 3 of my lessons on topics the 3rd way claims I reject (I'm counting ERVs as mobile elements here, because they are). https://t.co/WYBbO4t1Zy https://t.co/lLdPyjNxbJ https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Am I a revolutionist now? How exciting! I can't wait to tell my mom!

Apr 26, 2022 · 4,560 followers View post →
Tammy
@tiellabella · X

https://t.co/eDcfuIuxwR

Aug 17, 2021 · 2,992 followers View post →
Fisch
@Seichel2021 · X

RT @BillyBostickson: 39. Horizontal Gene Transfer The next set of tweets will examine the phenomenon of "horizontal gene transfer" between…

Jun 21, 2021 · 5 shares · 22 followers View post →
さらす - PPMPPP
@t2saras · X

RT @kumicit: Crisp et al(2015)「我々は遺伝子の水平移動が後生動物でこれまで予想されていなかった規模で発生し、発生し続けており、動物の進化における生化学的多様化に寄与している可能性が高いと論じる。」 / “Expression of multiple…

Jun 19, 2021 · 1 share · 161 followers View post →
Kumicit Transact
@kumicit · X

Crisp et al(2015)「我々は遺伝子の水平移動が後生動物でこれまで予想されていなかった規模で発生し、発生し続けており、動物の進化における生化学的多様化に寄与している可能性が高いと論じる。」 / “Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark o…” https://t.co/aOAU6B4MCh

Jun 19, 2021 · 1 share · 1,342 followers View post →
Nayef Daher, PhD
@NayefDaher · X

@trad76 @SBusais @fahad_atemsah يمكنك البدأ هنا https://t.co/12sAjnmGDa

Sep 13, 2020 · 105 followers View post →
akashic seer
@AkashicSeer · X

Another interesting article about #Genetics I need to get back to #programming... https://t.co/qaeIVD3AXp

Sep 5, 2020 · 862 followers View post →
Sherly Montaguth
@cherrymontaguth · X

Este estudio de 2015 sugiere que los humanos ya tenemos cerca de 145 genes de otras especies, probablemente provenientes de bacterias, hongos y algas. Sigue siendo una cantidad pequeñísima al lado de lo complejo de nuestro genoma pero ajá, ahí están. https://t.co/hr9a1tmsKH

Aug 20, 2020 · 8,748 followers View post →
Josh Wang | Health Detective
@health2detox · X

RT @BillyBostickson: 39. Horizontal Gene Transfer The next set of tweets will examine the phenomenon of "horizontal gene transfer" between…

Jul 15, 2020 · 5 shares · 515 followers View post →
Billy Bostickson
@BillyBostickson · X

39. Horizontal Gene Transfer The next set of tweets will examine the phenomenon of "horizontal gene transfer" between viruses and between hosts and viruses. For an introduction, please watch the video here: https://t.co/sOoetD5ceM

Jul 15, 2020 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 18,502 followers View post →
Yann Duroc est sur BlueSky
@DurocYann · X

@agrinor53 @JeanBregliano Wouah quelle condescendance... les transferts horizontaux sont légions dans le monde du vivant ! Allez un peu de lecture : https://t.co/HTOPVWS4Mg https://t.co/zLkvdZ4cum https://t.co/a1zx8HfEOK https://t.co/aazoOS1Fl6

Feb 10, 2020 · 1 like · 13,204 followers View post →
Yann Duroc est sur BlueSky
@DurocYann · X

@ElVeider_FDV @GillardVautier @agritof80 @saprinti @eat_modified @alexcarre49 @AtheeIV @Matadon_ @PVincourt @foodevo_lefilm @AnthonyGuihur @AntonSuwalki @MichaelMickha @NatDedieu @AStrochnis @Damkyan_Omega @ErwanGueguen @emma_ducros @Hcomosa @PHautefeuille @Vincentvandend1 @El_Odieuse patate douce https://t.co/a1zx8HfEOK pucerons et autres https://t.co/aazoOS1Fl6

Jan 14, 2020 · 13,204 followers View post →
Rob Waterhouse also @rmwaterhouse.bsky.social
@rmwaterhouse · X

#insect immunity folks ... was reading about horizontal #gene transfer in https://t.co/62CB2ZhQAx where Nimrod C1 & C2, & Eater are said to have been acquired from protists - thoughts?

Dec 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,006 followers View post →
Rob Waterhouse
@rmwaterhouse.bsky.social · Bluesky

#insect immunity folks ... was reading about horizontal #gene transfer in https://genomebiology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13059-015-0607-3 where Nimrod C1 & C2, & Eater are said to have been acquired from protists - thoughts?

Dec 3, 2019 View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

RT @GMOinfoEU: Genetics 101: Great Video from @StatedClearly about horizontal gene transfer and how it occurs naturally https://t.co/NAofR4…

Nov 25, 2019 · 1 share · 4,560 followers View post →
GMOinfoEU
@GMOinfoEU · X

Genetics 101: Great Video from @StatedClearly about horizontal gene transfer and how it occurs naturally https://t.co/NAofR4l8Bc #GMO https://t.co/f8dhvd7Xfw

Nov 25, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 5,297 followers View post →
Real Skeptic
@RealSceptic · X

What is Horizontal Gene Transfer? https://t.co/v0yH875CJr

Nov 24, 2019 · 49 followers View post →
Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

RT @StatedClearly: Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for…

Nov 15, 2019 · 5 shares · 294 followers View post →
Recognized female by federal and state government
@PurpleWOrange · X

@StatedClearly now has a channel with many of their videos translated into Spanish. More information on it is in this video. https://t.co/uq2WfNJukY @Lucianowrites @HigherFrequenci

Nov 15, 2019 · 2 likes · 2,229 followers View post →
Charlie Kruse
@TheCharlieKruse · X

What is Horizontal Gene Transfer? https://t.co/6vN134WnA3 via @YouTube

Nov 14, 2019 · 6,161 followers View post →
Alienígena do Futuro | Daniel |
@DanielOCL · X

What is Horizontal Gene Transfer? https://t.co/wpH4w3L1hY

Nov 14, 2019 · 1,085 followers View post →
Criticizing Feminism
@criticfemism · X

[Stated Clearly] What is Horizontal Gene Transfer? https://t.co/SSb2ANN0BY

Nov 14, 2019 · 508 followers View post →
Jordan Collver
@JordanCollver · X

RT @StatedClearly: Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for…

Nov 14, 2019 · 5 shares · 3,338 followers View post →
Kyungjoon Lee
@kjoonlee · X

RT @StatedClearly: Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for…

Nov 14, 2019 · 5 shares · 136 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

RT @StatedClearly: Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for…

Nov 14, 2019 · 5 shares · 31,712 followers View post →
PZ Myers
@pzmyers · X

RT @StatedClearly: Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for…

Nov 14, 2019 · 5 shares · 140,191 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Wow! It's new animation day here at Stated Clearly! https://t.co/NxJi7Z1cIY Shout out to @pzmyers and @JoannaMasel for advising on this one! Your help really made this a powerful lesson!

Nov 14, 2019 · 8 likes · 5 shares · 4,560 followers View post →
Val Giddings
@prometheusgreen · X

@plottedgarden @OrganicConsumer about that.... https://t.co/vlpBlle7XN & https://t.co/Fqc9ypdMjm & https://t.co/x0crqg0pLH & https://t.co/M4MneHJpRR & https://t.co/6fAbTubuBV & https://t.co/HePg9KdA2s & https://t.co/wS8YRkYWgk & https://t.co/WU3LH0vxmg & https://t.co/IFSIy4adq9 & https://t.co/sPgEx9Ejfb

Oct 1, 2019 · 1 like · 5,453 followers View post →
gmopundit (David Tribe Ph.D.) Vinceremo
@gmopundit · X

RT @prometheusgreen: @FoEEmergingTech @Godwin_UQ @gmopundit @RichardDiNatale @larissawaters @AdamBandt @Olivefarmer Everything genetic engi…

Aug 5, 2019 · 1 share · 5,091 followers View post →
Val Giddings
@prometheusgreen · X

@FoEEmergingTech @Godwin_UQ @gmopundit @RichardDiNatale @larissawaters @AdamBandt @Olivefarmer Everything genetic engineers do they learned how by finding it already being done in nature by Mother Nature herself. https://t.co/WTmXT6NjHl & https://t.co/oEyDgsQHYd & https://t.co/nPOA1kdnFK & https://t.co/HePg9KdA2s

Aug 5, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 5,453 followers View post →
Himender Bharti
@adubharti · X

RT @EvolPaper: Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FP…

May 2, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,326 followers View post →
Joshua Torres
@yeahhh_wa · X

RT @EvolPaper: Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FP…

Apr 28, 2019 · 5 shares · 237 followers View post →
GBE (Genome Biology and Evolution)
@GenomeBiolEvol · X

RT @EvolPaper: Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FP…

Apr 28, 2019 · 5 shares · 5,611 followers View post →
DNA & RNA research
@AndGenomics · X

RT @EvolPaper: Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FP…

Apr 28, 2019 · 5 shares · 3,945 followers View post →
GenomeResearch
@ResearchGenome · X

RT @EvolPaper: Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FP…

Apr 28, 2019 · 5 shares · 4,093 followers View post →
Evolutionary Genomics
@evol_genomics · X

Expression of multiple horizontally acquired genes is a hallmark of both vertebrate and invertebrate genomes https://t.co/FPZZHO5W9Z Horizontal gene transfer is not a hallmark of the human genome https://t.co/TaGAnWo7en @GenomeBiology #TE #transposon #humangenome

Apr 28, 2019 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 4,976 followers View post →
Robin Breeds
@RedRobinUK · X

@Qafzeh The first report of the human genome sequence highlighted 223 protein sequences (of which 113 were confirmed as present in the genome by PCR) that were proposed to originate from bacteria by HGT [19]. https://t.co/AXKqIsVk6k

Jan 29, 2019 · 1,238 followers View post →