Researchers Trace Genetic Transfer in Flowering Plants
A new diagnostic tool called HGTScanner has identified ancient horizontal gene transfers between two New Caledonian plant species.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Botany
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Scientists Liming Cai and Rachel Cohen have developed HGTScanner, a tool capable of identifying horizontal gene transfer between distinct plant species. The software revealed that Amborella, the oldest surviving branch of flowering plants, contains genetic material originating from the plant Hachettea.
Why it matters
The development allows researchers to study ecological interactions without the need for direct field observation. By identifying the donor and receiver of genetic material, scientists can better understand evolutionary connections across diverse plant species.
Researchers used HGTScanner to scan public DNA databases for horizontal gene transfer, which occurs when genetic material is exchanged between different organisms. This specific analysis focused on the Amborella shrub, native to New Caledonia.
The players
Liming Cai
Liming Cai is a researcher who co-developed the HGTScanner tool for detecting horizontal gene transfers in plants.
Rachel Cohen
Rachel Cohen is a researcher who collaborated on the development of the HGTScanner genetic analysis tool.
The details
The tool works by pinpointing the transfer of DNA from Hachettea into the genome of Amborella. This genetic signature confirms an interaction between the two species, providing a method to map historical plant relationships through digital analysis.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: The discovery was formally published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution.
The Big Picture
The findings published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution extend current knowledge of evolutionary botanical history. This methodology marks a paradigm shift by allowing scientists to deduce complex ecological interactions from genetic data rather than relying solely on physical observation.
This genetic diagnostic tool could refine future agricultural research by helping scientists track how beneficial traits are shared between plant species. Such advancements may eventually lead to better understanding of resilience and adaptation in wild and cultivated plant populations.
The takeaway
This discovery demonstrates that genomic data can act as a historical record for ecological relationships that occurred long ago. Researchers looking to map complex biological interactions can now rely on computational tools to fill gaps where field data is unavailable.
What happens next
The research team plans to travel to New Caledonia to perform field verification of the ecological interaction identified through the genetic analysis.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving plant research in the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phys.
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