Homologous recombination

Homologous recombination occurs in meiosis. It is a process where a section of DNA is rearranged and put together in a new combination between two pairs of chromosomes which usually occurs at the same point on the chromosome. This recombination will lead to a crossing-over of genes and increases genetic variation as it produces a genetically different DNA as the one it began with. Homologous recombination is important in cells as it is crucial in the support for the recovery of DNA damage.

Alberts, B et al (2002). Chapter 5: DNA Replication, Repair, and Recombination. Molecular Biology of the Cell 4th edition. New York: Garland Science.


Homologous recombination in DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance (Xuan Li et al, 2008)