Evolution of Viruses

Evolution of virus is a subfield of virology and evolutionary biology, specifically relate to viral evolution. Most viruses, specifically RNA viruses, have comparatively high mutation rates and short generation time. Rate of mutation at this elevated level permits rapid adaptation to alterations in the host environments, when joined with natural selection. Evolution of virus is an important part of epidemiology of viral infections, for example, HCV, AIDS, and influenza, etc. Rapid viral mutations cause difficulties in the progress of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, such as resistant mutations usually seem from weeks to months after treatment begins. Major theoretical models, including the quasi-species model, are discussed in detail in this book, as viral quasi-species. Viruses do not have fossils, as they are very small even smaller than colloidal fragment that forms the sedimentary rocks that fossilize animals and plants. However, many organisms have genomes and genes of ancient virus that in past invaded in germ line of host. For example, most of the vertebrates have genomes comprising of hundreds to thousands sequences that are resultant from past retrovirus. These sequences of are appreciate source of proof retrospective regarding the viral evolutionary history and have originated the paleovirology science.

In addition to these, the book describes, modern viral genomic analysis and provide evolutionary history of viruses to some level. Many viral mutation rates dignified and dates of divergence inferred with the help of application of molecular clock. The process of evolution in viruses is by changing in sequence of their hereditary materials (DNA and RNA). Mutants that are best adapted reproduce and divide more quickly than the other ones. Most of the viruses have ability to interchange their hereditary material during the process when these two different viral strains infect the similar cell. This mechanism is genetic shift, and is usually the source of more virulent and new appearing strains. While other viruses develops more slowly due with time accumulation of mutations in their genes through a process of genetic drift. Due to these processes, the viruses are going to be powerful day by day and presenting as challenge in efforts of controlling disease. Just like as natural selection has molded evolution of all living things, humans and plants on the world, this process produce...