Retroviruses are a unique family of viruses that have fundamentally changed our understanding of genetics, evolution, and medicine. Unlike most living organisms that store genetic information as DNA, retroviruses carry their genetic blueprint as . Their name refers to their "backward" replication process: they use a specialized enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA into DNA once they infect a host cell. The Replication Cycle: Rewriting the Host’s Code
Retroviruses are responsible for several significant human diseases. The most well-known is , which attacks the immune system's T-cells and can lead to AIDS . Other notable human retroviruses include: Retrovirus
Pan-vertebrate comparative genomics unmasks retrovirus ... - PNAS Retroviruses are a unique family of viruses that