ORIENTAL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY ISSN: 0970-020 X CODEN: OJCHEG An International Open Free Access, Peer Reviewed Research Journal 2013, Vol. 29, No. (4): Pg. 1687-1693 www.orientjchem.org Conference Report Highlights of the Meeting on “Horizontal Gene Transfer and the Last Universal Common Ancestor” Held at the Open University, Milton Keynes, UK SOHAN Jheeta Network of Researchers on Horizontal Gene Transfer and the Last Universal Common Ancestor, 1 Scott Hall Crescent, Leeds, LS7 3RB, U.K. *Corresponding author E-mail:
[email protected] http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/290459 (Received: July 12, 2013; Accepted: August 04, 2013) ABstract This paper summarises the oral presentations, their outcomes and conclusions drawn from the meeting entitled: ‘Horizontal Gene transfer and the Last Universal Common Ancestor’ which was held at the Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, on the 5th and the 6th September 2013. Key words: Horizontal gene transfer; HGT, Lateral gene transfer; LGT, Phylogenetic tree of life, Transformation; Gene transfer agent (GTA); Last universal common ancestor (LUCA) INTRODUCTION brought together an international gathering of scientists from Japan, India, Israel, Russia, USA, One of the first of its kind, this meeting, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain as well held on the 5th and the 6th September, was designed as participants from the UK (Figure 3). With such an to investigate and evaluate the importance of assortment of eminent researchers under one roof, ‘horizontal gene transfer’ (HGT) during the period of the meeting was both energetic and engaging and the ‘last universal common ancestor’ (LUCA) prior generated a lively debate and exchange of ideas.