Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
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.
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Optimizing Ammonia Separation from Thermophilic Digestate: The Combined Effect of pH and Thermal Gradients in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation.

Membranes·2025
Same author

Self-empowerment of life through RNA networks, cells and viruses.

F1000Research·2023
Same author

Proteome-wide analysis of the serological response to vaccinia and smallpox.

Proteomics·2007
Same author

Vaccinia virus H3L envelope protein is a major target of neutralizing antibodies in humans and elicits protection against lethal challenge in mice.

Journal of virology·2005
Same author

Genomic diversity of human papillomavirus-16, 18, 31, and 35 isolates in a Mexican population and relationship to European, African, and Native American variants.

Virology·2004
Same author

Cutting edge: long-term B cell memory in humans after smallpox vaccination.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2003

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Pseudotyped Viruses As a Molecular Tool to Monitor Humoral Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Via Neutralization Assay
05:49

Pseudotyped Viruses As a Molecular Tool to Monitor Humoral Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Via Neutralization Assay

Published on: November 21, 2023

Viruses and host evolution: virus-mediated self identity.

Luis Villarreal1

  • 1Center for Virus Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. lpvillar@uci.edu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Viruses cooperate in groups, acting as natural editors of biological codes. This viral group behavior influences host evolution, from prokaryotic biofilms to the human social brain and language development.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Virology
  • Genetics
  • Biocommunication theory

Background:

  • Virus evolution is understood through population-based selection, including quasispecies and mosaic exchange.
  • Cooperative consortia among viruses are crucial for evolution, challenging traditional 'survival of the fittest' paradigms.
  • Biocommunication theory suggests that language evolution requires consortial processes for contextual meaning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present viruses as natural editors of host biological codes through their persistent, consortial information.
  • To explore how viral mechanisms promoting persistence and group identity, like addiction modules, shape host evolution.
  • To generalize these concepts from viral consortia to social identity systems, including human language and social bonding.

More Related Videos

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm
11:12

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm

Published on: April 12, 2017

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Pseudotyped Viruses As a Molecular Tool to Monitor Humoral Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Via Neutralization Assay
05:49

Pseudotyped Viruses As a Molecular Tool to Monitor Humoral Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Via Neutralization Assay

Published on: November 21, 2023

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm
11:12

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm

Published on: April 12, 2017

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

Main Methods:

  • Review of viral origins of addiction modules and their role in persistence and group identity.
  • Examination of viral elements in prokaryotic (biofilms) and eukaryotic (retroviruses, retroposons) group identity systems.
  • Analysis of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and their contribution to human evolution, social brain development, and language.

Main Results:

  • Viral persistence in hosts facilitates natural, consortial editing of host genetic codes.
  • Addiction modules originating from viruses promote group identity and social bonding across species.
  • Viral elements significantly shaped prokaryotic biofilms, eukaryotic regulatory complexity, adaptive immunity, and human social evolution, including language.

Conclusions:

  • Viruses act as cooperative consortia that drive host evolution by editing biological codes.
  • Viral-induced group identity mechanisms are fundamental to the emergence of complex social systems and language.
  • Understanding virus-host interactions offers a novel perspective on the evolution of biological complexity and sociality.