What are transposons? How have they been exploited for bacterial genetic research? Solution The discrete genetic elements of pathogens such as bacteriophages, \"transposons\" & conjugate plasmids that integrated into the host cell genome via horizontal gene transfer finally become more recombinant to generate virulence of pathogen. The hypothesis of this phenomenon is to acquire higher resistance towards host defense system by increasing “pathogen virulence factor synthesis”. This acquisition of genomic integration of conjugate plasmid or “transposon” is useful to obtain knowledge about the pathogen nature & pathogen interaction with host cell finally enables to synthesize vaccines via bacterial genetic research etc. Horizontal gene transfer takes place between bacteria by transferring plasmids and transposons to transfer both pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance properties carrying genes to non- pathogenic, antibiotic-susceptible bacteria..