The first step in integrating the T-DNA into a host genome is the formation of a nick at the right border of the Ti plasmid. This nick creates a region of single stranded DNA from the left border of the T-DNA gene over to the right border which was cut. Single stranded binding proteins then attach to the single stranded DNA. DNA synthesis will displace the single stranded region and then a second nick at the left border region will release the single stranded T-DNA fragment. This fragment can then be incorporated into a host genome.