by Gertrud U. Rey Herpes simplex viruses establish lifelong persistent infection in sensory neurons of infected individuals, a phenomenon called latency. Latent viral genomes are “dormant” but can sporadically reactivate and begin replicating in a phase called lytic replication, which is often accompanied by shedding of virus particles and the appearance of painful lesions. There …
An unprecedented amount of information is emerging on the new coronavirus, provisionally called 2019-nCoV, that originated in China and is spreading globally. As of this writing there are 8,236 confirmed cases (8,124 in China) with 171 deaths (Click the link for real-time updates). What was the origin of the virus? The virus was first isolated …
As with all previous outbreaks of new virus infections, we are being warned of impending doom concerning the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV that is now spreading globally. China€™s National Health Commission Vice Minister Li Bin recently warned that ‘there is the possibility of viral mutation€™. Perhaps Mr. Li is unaware that viral genomes sustain mutations during …
The year 2019 was the second-hottest year on record, closing out the warmest decade. As the temperature rises, ice melts, and out come novel viruses. And there are many viruses frozen in ice, ready to spill out. We know that viruses are frozen in ice: multiple giant viruses have been isolated from the 30,000 year …
by Gertrud U. Rey Bacteria use at least a couple of pathways for protecting themselves against viral infection. In return, multiple viral strategies for inhibiting or evading these pathways have evolved.
This week I attended the Nipah Virus International Conference in Singapore, marking the discovery of the virus 20 years ago. It€™s an opportune time to recall the events around the emergence of this deadly pathogen.
