Yeast and other fungi have been instrumental in elucidating the mechanism of homologous genetic recombination. In eukaryotes, homologous recombination occurs chiefly during meiosis.
Homologous recombination involves the breaking and rejoining of chromatids.
Homologous recombination is initiated by double strand breaks and involves the repair of those lesions. Intermediates in recombination can be identified using 2D gels and yeast strains undergoing synchronous meiosis. These intermediates may lead to either crossover or non-rossover events relative to flanking genetic markers.