Editing Acinetobacter (section)

==Natural transformation==
Bacterial transformation involves the transfer of DNA from a donor to a recipient bacterium through the intervening liquid medium. Recipient bacteria must first enter a special physiological state termed [[Natural competence|competence]] to receive donor DNA. ''A.&nbsp;calcoaceticus'' is induced to become competent for natural transformation by dilution of a stationary culture into fresh nutrient medium.<ref name=Palmen>{{cite journal |vauthors=Palmen R, Vosman B, Buijsman P, Breek CK, Hellingwerf KJ |title=Physiological characterization of natural transformation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus|journal=J. Gen. Microbiol. |volume=139 |issue=2 |pages=295–305 |date=February 1993 |pmid=8436948 |doi= 10.1099/00221287-139-2-295|doi-access=free }}</ref> Competence is gradually lost during prolonged exponential growth and for a period after entrance into the stationary state. The DNA taken up may be used to repair DNA damage or as a means to exchange genetic information by horizontal gene transfer.<ref name=Palmen /> Natural transformation in ''A. calcoaceticus'' may protect against exposure to DNA-damaging conditions in the natural environment of these bacteria, as appears to be the case for other bacterial species capable of transformation.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Michod RE, Bernstein H, Nedelcu AM |title=Adaptive value of sex in microbial pathogens |journal=Infect. Genet. Evol. |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=267–85 |date=May 2008 |pmid=18295550 |doi=10.1016/j.meegid.2008.01.002 }}http://www.hummingbirds.arizona.edu/Faculty/Michod/Downloads/IGE%20review%20sex.pdf</ref>