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Related Concept Videos

Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
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Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
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Herpes01:28

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Genital Herpes01:23

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

Herpes viruses hedge their bets.

Michael P H Stumpf1, Zoe Laidlaw, Vincent A A Jansen

  • 1Department of Biology, University College London, United Kingdom. m.stumpf@ucl.ac.uk

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|November 1, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Herpes viruses, like varicella zoster virus, may have evolved latency as a bet-hedging strategy. This evolutionary model explains how viruses survive in fluctuating host populations, leading to conditions like shingles.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

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13:22

Detection of the Genome and Transcripts of a Persistent DNA Virus in Neuronal Tissues by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization Combined with Immunostaining

Published on: January 23, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Herpes viruses exhibit static latency, a phenomenon where they remain dormant for extended periods.
  • Varicella zoster virus causes chickenpox and later shingles, with latency periods ranging from 5 to 40 years.
  • The triggers for herpes virus reactivation remain largely unknown, posing a significant challenge in virology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the evolutionary origins of viral latency, particularly within the herpes virus family.
  • To investigate the role of bet-hedging strategies in the evolution of viral latency.
  • To understand how population dynamics influence the persistence of infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a simple evolutionary model to explain viral latency.
  • Analysis of bet-hedging as a potential evolutionary strategy for viruses.
  • Examination of infectious disease population dynamics in fluctuating host environments.

Main Results:

  • A bet-hedging strategy provides a plausible evolutionary explanation for viral latency.
  • The model demonstrates the efficiency of bet-hedging in viruses, especially herpes viruses like varicella zoster virus.
  • Viral latency can be understood through the lens of population dynamics in changing host populations.

Conclusions:

  • Viral latency is likely an evolved bet-hedging strategy, enhancing survival in fluctuating environments.
  • This evolutionary perspective offers insights into the persistence and reactivation of herpes viruses.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing infectious diseases caused by latent viruses.