Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Viral Recombination

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.

Viral Mutations

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...

Human Virome

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...

Introduction to Virus

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...

Retroviruses

Retroviruses

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’...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Co-infection with a viral pathogen (Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus) tended to improve host tolerance but significantly enhanced resistance to Heligmosomoides bakeri.

Veterinary research communications·2026

Same author

Genetic and vaccination studies reveal feather viral load as a potential biomarker for individual and flock-level protection against Marek's disease in chicken.

Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A·2026

Same author

Diversity and composition of gut protist in young rural Zimbabwean children.

Frontiers in microbiomes·2026

Same author

A narrative review of heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and vaccine efficacy: strategizing pandemic preparedness in Africa.

Frontiers in public health·2026

Same author

Genomic profiling of enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> toxins and adhesins in livestock isolates from Kenya.

Microbial genomics·2025

Same author

Bayesian network imputation methods applied to multi-omics data identify putative causal relationships in a type 2 diabetes dataset containing incomplete data: An IMI DIRECT Study.

PLoS genetics·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

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

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

Human viruses: discovery and emergence.

Mark Woolhouse¹, Fiona Scott, Zoe Hudson

¹Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK. mark.woolhouse@ed.ac.uk

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences

|September 12, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists estimate many undiscovered human viruses exist, with new ones emerging regularly from animal hosts. Global surveillance is crucial for detecting novel viruses and preventing outbreaks.

More Related Videos

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

Using a Pan-Viral Microarray Assay (Virochip) to Screen Clinical Samples for Viral Pathogens

Using a Pan-Viral Microarray Assay (Virochip) to Screen Clinical Samples for Viral Pathogens

Published on: April 27, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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

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

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

Using a Pan-Viral Microarray Assay (Virochip) to Screen Clinical Samples for Viral Pathogens

Using a Pan-Viral Microarray Assay (Virochip) to Screen Clinical Samples for Viral Pathogens

Published on: April 27, 2011

Area of Science:

Virology
Infectious Diseases
Public Health

Background:

219 human virus species are known, with new discoveries occurring annually.
Over two-thirds of human viruses can infect non-human hosts, primarily mammals and birds.
Many viruses with mammalian or avian origins can cross the species barrier to infect humans.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the current state of human virus discovery.
To assess the potential for future emergence of novel human viruses.
To highlight the need for enhanced global virus surveillance.

Main Methods:

Extrapolation of virus discovery curves.
Analysis of host range and transmission capabilities of known human viruses.
Identification of potential predictors for virus species jumps.

Main Results:

A substantial number of human virus species remain undiscovered.
Mammalian and avian viruses pose a significant risk for zoonotic transmission to humans.
Phylogenetically conserved cell receptors are potential predictors of cross-species viral transmission.
New human viruses are expected to continue emerging from animal reservoirs.

Conclusions:

The diversity of human viruses is not fully characterized, with many yet to be discovered.
Zoonotic spillover events are a primary source for novel human viruses.
Effective global surveillance systems are essential for early detection and management of emerging viral threats.