virology blog
About viruses and viral disease
The TWiVstars reveal the diversity of herpes simplex virus type 2 in a neonatal population, and parallel adaptation of rabbits in three countries to myxoma virus.
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When viruses are introduced into a new population, selection pressures can lead to evolution of both pathogen and host. The pathogen must adapt to a new host, while the latter can become resistant to infection, leading to an arms race. An archetypal example of such host-pathogen evolution is illustrated by the attempt to control rabbit populations in Australia by the release of a pathogenic virus. Recent work illuminates the changes that occurred as the rabbits became resistant to infection.
[Read more…] about Rabbits and viruses: An iconic example of natural selection
Brianne returns to the TWiV Gang to discuss the distribution of proteins on the influenza viral genome, and the evolution of myxoma virus that was released in Australia to control the rabbit population.
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Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Grant McFaddenOn episode #124 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Dickson, Alan, Rich, and Grant discuss a tanapoxvirus protein that inhibits tumor necrosis factor, purging tumors with myxoma virus, and destruction of the last known stocks of smallpox virus.
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Grant – A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Dickson – An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae by Edward Jenner
Rich – Selinah (Topsy Foundation) thanks Meghan!
Alan – Draft report (pdf) on WHO’s H1N1 response and NY Times summary
Vincent – 10 stunning science visualizations
Send your virology questions and comments (email or mp3 file) to twiv@microbe.tv, or call them in to 908-312-0760. You can also post articles that you would like us to discuss at microbeworld.org and tag them with twiv.
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Dave Bloom, and Grant McFaddenOn episode #84 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent and Rich spoke with Dave Bloom and Grant McFadden about their work on herpesviruses and poxviruses in this episode recorded before an audience at the University of Florida, Gainesville – home of the Gators.
This episode is sponsored by Data Robotics Inc. Use the promotion code TWIVPOD to receive $75-$500 off a Drobo.
Win a free Drobo S! Contest rules here.
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Rich – Charles F. Littlewood photographs
Vincent – Not so humble pie (thanks, Sophie!)
Grant – The Strangest Man by Graham Farmelo
David – Is Parkinson’s Disease a prion disorder?
Send your virology questions and comments (email or mp3 file) to twiv@microbe.tv or leave voicemail at Skype: twivpodcast. You can also post articles that you would like us to discuss at microbeworld.org and tag them with twiv.