Dear Maimouna,

Bacteria can snatch bits of RNA from invaders such as viruses and incorporate the RNA into their own genomes, using this information as something akin to mug shots. They then help the bacteria recognize and disrupt dangerous viruses in the future.

Best wishes

Thanks for your answer! But that happens when the bacteria is infected by phage right?! i was wondering if it would freely uptake the whole rna that would be in the extracellular environment.

Many bacteria (the Neisseriaceae come to mind, but also streptococci, and Haemophilus sp) can become naturally competent under specific circumstances and actively engage in the uptake of environmental DNA. Never heard of the same thing happening with RNA, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did exist. Are you sure they are being transformed with RNA and not RNA-derived DNA from neighboring, lysed cells?

Thank you for your help! It  is actually from viral RNA present post cell lysis. Thanks again.