▪ Abstract RNA viruses exploit all known mechanisms of genetic variation to ensure their
survival. Distinctive features of RNA virus replication include high mutation rates, high yields …

RNA viruses constitute the most abundant group of pathogens of man, animals and plants.
They share high mutation rates which are in the range 10− 3 to 10− 5 misincorporations per …

RNA viruses are often thought of as possessing almost limitless adaptability as a result of
their extreme mutation rates. However, high mutation rates also put a cap on the size of the …

RNA viruses face dynamic environments and are masters at adaptation. During their
short'lifespans', they must surmount multiple physical, anatomical and immunological …

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Populations of RNA viruses are often characterized by abundant genetic variation. However,
the relative fitness of these mutations is largely unknown, although this information is central …

RNA viruses are the main agents of emerging disease. To understand how RNA viruses are
able to jump species boundaries and spread in new hosts it is essential to determine the …

The mutant spectrum of a virus quasispecies in the process of fitness gain of a debilitated
foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) clone has been analysed. The mutant spectrum was …

RNA viruses evolve at greatly elevated rates compared with their DNA counterparts. This is
principally due to the high mutation rate associated with RNA polymerase, which introduces …

RNA viruses exist as dynamic and diverse populations shaped by constant mutation and
selection. Yet little is known about how the mutant spectrum contributes to virus evolvability …