'Plug-and-play'—how plants steal genetic shortcuts to survive
Phys.org
March 2, 2026
Plants are fast-tracking their own evolution by "plugging in" genetic code stolen from their neighbors, according to new research that reveals the secret to their own successful genetic engineering. The study, led by Catherine Collins, Dr. Luke Dunning and Dr. Lara Pereira from the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with researchers from Yale and Bangor Universities, examined how grasses "steal" DNA from other species.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 3/2/2026