Viruses Essential Agents of Life [Paperback]

A renaissance of virus research is taking centre stage in biology. Empirical data from the last decade indicate the important roles of viruses, both in the evolution of all life and as symbionts of host organisms. There is increasing evidence that all cellular life is colonized by exogenous and/or endogenous viruses in a non-lytic but persistent lifestyle. Viruses and viral parts form the most numerous genetic matter on this planet.This book collects and analyzes information and data encompassing a decade of rapid progress in discovery and understanding of the important roles of viruses, both in the evolution of all life and as symbionts of host organisms.

Preface; Guenther Witzany.-

1. Revolutionary struggle for existence: introduction to four intriguing puzzles in virus research; Matti Jalasvuori.-

2. Quasispecies dynamics of RNA viruses; Miguel Angel Mart?nez et al.-

3. The origin of virions and virocells: the escape hypothesis revisited; Patrick Forterre, Mart Krupovic.-

4. Scratching the Surface of Biology's Dark Matter; Merry Youle et al.-

5. Virus universe: can it be constructed from a limited number of viral architectures; Hanna M. Oksanen et al.-

6. The addiction module as a social force; Luis Villarreal.-

7. Viral integration and consequences on host gene expression; S?bastien Desfarges, Angela Ciuffi.-

8. Persistent plant viruses:? molecular hitchhikers or epigenetic elements?; Marilyn Roossinck.-

9. The concept of virus in the post-Megavirus era; Jean Michel Claverie, Chantal Abergel.-

10. Unpacking the baggage : Origin and Evolution of Giant Viruses; Jonathan Filee, Michael Chandler.-

11. Megavirales composing a fourth domain of life: Mimiviridae and Marseilleviridae; Philippe Colson, Didier Raoult.-

12. On viruses, bats lS-