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 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...

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.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Phage Therapy in Germany-Update 2023.

Viruses·2023

Same author

The Roles of the Virome in Cancer.

Microorganisms·2021

Same author

Air Microbiome and Pollution: Composition and Potential Effects on Human Health, Including SARS Coronavirus Infection.

Journal of environmental and public health·2020

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Within-Host and Between-Host Evolution in SARS-CoV-2-New Variant's Source.

Karin Moelling^1,2

¹Institute Medical Microbiology, University Zurich, Gloriastr 30, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland.

|April 30, 2021

Summary

Immunocompromised patients can harbor replicating coronaviruses, leading to rapid mutation and the emergence of new viral variants. Early identification and treatment of these individuals are crucial to prevent the spread of potentially pandemic strains.

Keywords:

corona emerging variants immunosuppression origin pandemic prevention risk

More Related Videos

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Published on: December 23, 2020

Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research

Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research

Published on: September 8, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Published on: December 23, 2020

Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research

Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research

Published on: September 8, 2023

Area of Science:

Virology
Immunology
Epidemiology

Background:

Coronaviruses typically have low mutation rates due to proofreading mechanisms.
Emerging variants exhibit an unexpectedly high number of mutations.
The conditions favoring rapid viral mutation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential for coronavirus variants to arise in immunocompromised hosts.
To explore the role of within-host evolution in generating novel viral strains.
To highlight the risk of immunocompromised individuals as sources of pandemic threats.

Main Methods:

The study discusses the theoretical possibility and observed instances of prolonged viral replication in immunocompromised patients.
It examines the concept of viral quasispecies and within-host evolution.
The potential for these variants to cause between-host transmission and pandemics is considered.

Main Results:

Immunocompromised patients, including cancer and HIV-infected individuals, can support prolonged and unlimited coronavirus replication.
This prolonged replication facilitates rapid mutation and the development of viral variants (quasispecies).
Such variants may evolve within a host and subsequently spread between hosts, potentially initiating pandemics (e.g., B.1.1.7).

Conclusions:

Immunocompromised individuals represent a significant risk factor for the emergence of new, potentially dangerous coronavirus variants.
Asymptomatic viral replication in these patients can lead to undetected spread and evolution.
Passive immunization with synthetic antibody cocktails and increased healthcare awareness are proposed strategies for managing this risk.