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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...
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.
Retroviruses02:33

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’...
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...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
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...

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Updated: May 15, 2026

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
09:29

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

What can we predict about viral evolution and emergence?

Edward C Holmes1

  • 1Sydney Emerging Infections and Biosecurity Institute, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. edward.holmes@sydney.edu.au

Current Opinion in Virology
|January 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Predicting infectious disease emergence is challenging due to evolutionary biology constraints. Forecasting viral evolution and spread post-emergence is more feasible, requiring integrated ecological and genetic approaches.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Viral evolution

Background:

  • Predicting infectious disease emergence is a major biomedical goal.
  • Evolutionary biology presents inherent challenges to accurate prediction.
  • Erroneous predictions risk resource misuse and public trust erosion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline realistic predictions for viral evolution and emergence.
  • To differentiate between predicting emergence and forecasting post-emergence spread.
  • To advocate for integrated ecological and genetic perspectives in disease prediction research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding in evolutionary biology and disease prediction.
  • Analysis of the tractability of predicting viral emergence versus post-emergence dynamics.
  • Synthesis of ecological and genetic factors influencing viral evolution and spread.

Main Results:

  • Accurate prediction of viral emergence is likely to be limited.
  • Forecasting the evolution and spread of viruses after emergence is more achievable.
  • A combination of ecological and genetic viewpoints is crucial for effective disease prediction.

Conclusions:

  • While predicting the exact emergence of infectious diseases is difficult, forecasting their subsequent evolution and spread is more tractable.
  • Effective disease prediction research necessitates a unified approach combining ecological and genetic insights.
  • Future efforts should focus on developing robust forecasting models for viral dynamics post-emergence.