The origins and ongoing evolution of viruses.
Genome analyses of double strand DNA tailed bacteriophages argue that they evolve by recombinational reassortment of genes and by the acquisition of novel genes as simple genetic elements termed morons. These processes suggest a model for early virus evolution, wherein viruses can be regarded less as having derived from cells and more as being partners in their mutual co-evolution.
Hendrix
R W
RW
Pittsburgh Bacteriophage Institute, PA 15260, USA. rhx@pitt.edu
Lawrence
J G
JG
Hatfull
G F
GF
Casjens
S
S
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016679:Genome, Viral; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D014764:Viral Proteins