retroviruses

RNA-to-DNA pathogens

Retroviruses is the plural of retrovirus, a type of virus that inserts a copy of its genetic material into the DNA of host cells.

Unlike most organisms, retroviruses store their genetic information as RNA rather than DNA, then reverse the usual flow by converting it to DNA—hence "retro." HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is the most notorious retrovirus.

Retroviruses have become important tools in gene therapy research.

molecular

RNA

Gene expression molecule

integrationCombining into a whole
replicationAct of duplicating precisely
gagMouth restraint or jest

pol · capsid · envelope · genome · virion · budding · assembly · transcription · translation · splicing

HIV

AIDS

Immune deficiency syndrome

antiretroviralDrug blocking viral reproduction
CD4Immune cell coreceptor
T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes

PrEP · seropositive · transmission · pandemic · epidemic · lymphoma · immunodeficiency · undetectable · stigma · lentivirus

oncogenic

oncovirus

Cancer-causing viral agent

leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
transformationThorough change in form

tumor · carcinogenesis · immortalization

biotechnology

vector

Quantity with direction

transductionSignal or energy transformation
CRISPRGene-editing molecular machinery
transgenicHaving inserted foreign genes

therapeutic · biosafety · recombinant · titer

endogenous

germline

Hereditary cellular lineage

ancestralOf one's forebears
placentaFetal nourishment organ
co-optionAbsorbing dissent into mainstream

ancient · inherited · chromosomal

retroviruses

RNA

AIDS

oncovirus

vector

germline

retroviruses

Opposites

Categories

Family