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Establishment of Viral Infection and Analysis of Host-Virus Interaction in Drosophila Melanogaster

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Experimental Evolution Studies in Φ6 Cystovirus.

Sonia Singhal¹, Akiko K Balitactac¹, Aruna G Nayagam¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, San José State University, San José, CA 95192, USA.

|June 27, 2024

Summary

Experimental evolution using bacteriophage Φ6 reveals insights into mutation, selection, and trait evolution. This research informs our understanding of RNA virus evolution, including human pathogens.

Keywords:

bacteriophage coinfection cystovirus experimental evolution genetic exchange genetic robustness host range mutational effects thermostability Φ6

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Microbiology
Virology

Background:

Experimental evolution studies investigate mutation, selection, and trait origins.
Bacteriophage Φ6 is a model organism due to its characteristics facilitating rapid evolution.
Φ6 serves as a non-pathogenic model for human RNA virus evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To review 30 years of experimental evolution studies using bacteriophage Φ6.
To explore Φ6's utility in understanding mutation fitness effects and coinfection consequences.
To investigate the evolution of host range and thermostability in viruses.

Main Methods:

Utilizing bacteriophage Φ6 for laboratory evolution experiments.
Analyzing spontaneous mutations and their fitness effects.
Studying the impact of coinfection and host range evolution.

Main Results:

Φ6's properties enable rapid laboratory evolution and mutation characterization.
Experiments addressed fitness effects of mutations and consequences of coinfection.
Studies examined host range expansion and thermostability evolution.

Conclusions:

Bacteriophage Φ6 is a valuable model for studying viral evolution.
Experimental evolution with Φ6 provides insights into RNA virus adaptation.
Further Φ6 research can inform predictions for pathogenic viruses.