A physics-explicit model of bacterial conjugation shows the stabilizing role of the conjugative junction

Abstract

Conjugation is a process in which bacteria exchange DNA through a physical connection (conjugative junction) between mating cells. Despite its significance for processes such as the spread of antibiotic resistance, the role of physical forces in conjugation is poorly understood. Here we use computer models to show that the conjugative junction not only serves as a link to transfer the DNA but it also mechanically stabilises the mating pair which significantly increases the conjugation rate. We discuss the importance of our findings for biological evolution and suggest experiments to validate them.