Viruses acquire genes from eukaryotes — organisms whose cells store their DNA in a nucleus — and use them for their own function. Conversely, eukaryotes acquire genes from viruses to bring new ...

Among the hypotheses for how viruses came to be is that they started as self-replicating nucleic acids that co-opted host proteins for packaging and protection, leading eventually to the viral ...

Evolution optimizes all creatures, from viruses to elephants, to their environment. Where do new variants come from, especially Omicron which is so different from previous variants? There may be a ...