by Mallory Locklear, Yale University Schematic of fluorescence streptavidin-biotin–tagged ERV- and VLP-baiting strategy. Credit: Science Immunology (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.add6608 After viruses infected our evolutionary ancestors, bits of viral DNA lodged themselves into their genomes—and we still carry around genetic remnants of those viruses now. Known as endogenous retroviruses, these pieces of ancient invaders aren’t able to produce infectious...
Tag: <span>viral DNA</span>
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Researchers reveal the inner workings of a viral DNA-packaging motor
Researchers have discovered the inner workings of the molecular motor that packages genetic material into double-stranded DNA viruses. The advance provides insight into a critical step in the reproduction cycle of viruses such as pox, herpes, and adenoviruses. It could also inspire researchers to create microscopic machines based on naturally occurring motors. The U.S. National...
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Weird viral DNA spills secrets to biologists
Ewen Callaway Bacteriophage viruses — seen attacking an E. coli cell in this computer illustration — can have exotic chemistries in their DNA.Credit: Maurizio De Angelis/Science Photo Library ‘Alien’ genomes can be found on Earth. Some viruses that infect bacteria use an alternative genetic alphabet that’s distinct from the code used by nearly all other organisms —...