Protocols of Conjugative Plasmid Transfer in Salmonella: Plate, Broth, and Filter Mating Approaches

Bacterial conjugation is a natural process that allows for horizontal transmission of DNA from one bacterium to another. Several plasmids carry transposons that encode multiple antimicrobial and metal resistance genes. Conjugative plasmid transfer requires intimate cell-to-cell contacts between the donor and the recipient. Self-conjugative plasmids harbor tra genes which facilitate plasmid transfer from donor to recipient bacterial strain. Here we describe different methods of conjugative plasmid transfers via conjugation.