title: Examining the discovery of the human retrovirus.
abstract: Retroviruses have been found in many bird and animal species where they often cause various types of cancer. Dr. Robert Gallo's contribution to the field of retrovirology and the link he established between RNA viruses and cancer has been significant. Historical aspects of his discoveries in the area of human retroviruses are presented and an attempt is made to focus attention on his outstanding role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kontaratos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sourvinos
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spandidos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000266:history; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000266:history* / Q000821:virology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000266:history* / Q000821:virology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000266:history* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: C508594:IL2 protein, human; D007376:Interleukin-2