How does conjugation help geneticists map the genomes of bacteria?

Conjugation has been a vital tool for geneticists in mapping bacterial genomes. By studying the transfer of genetic markers during conjugation, researchers can determine the relative positions of genes on the bacterial chromosome. This is achieved by interrupting the conjugation process at specific time intervals (a method known as interrupted mating) and analyzing which genetic traits are transferred to the recipient cell. The time it takes for each gene to be transferred correlates with its distance from the origin of transfer on the donor’s chromosome, allowing scientists to construct genetic maps.