NCIt definition : The process of exchange of genetic material between autonomous replicons, which depends
on regions of extensive sequence homology between the participating DNA strands. This
process involves double-strand breakage of one participant, resection of the break,
and strand invasion, followed by formation, displacement and resolution of the Holliday
junction. This process is involved in repairing broken DNA and creating combinations
of genes that may be unique from the parent duplexes. Disruptions in this process
can result in inviability, premature aging and predisposition to cancers and degenerative
diseases.;