ADVANCES IN RETROVIROLOGY

The type of RNA virus, which inserts a copy of its genome into the DNA of a host cell that it invades, and changes the genome of that cell, is known as a retrovirus. Such type of viruses are classified as single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. The study of retroviruses is called retrovirology. On entering the host cell’s cytoplasm, the retroviruses use their own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from their RNA genome, which is the reverse or retro of the usual pattern. Then the new DNA incorporates into the host cell genome with the help of an integrase enzyme. Some retroviruses such as Rous sarcoma virus and mouse mammary tumor virus can trigger tumor growth. Some others can cause infections like HIV. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of retrovirology and the recent researches in this field. It traces the progress of this field and highlights some of its key concepts and applications. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field.