Palaeovirology expanded: Non-retroviral virus fragments found in animal genomes

Understanding the evolution of life-threatening viruses like influenza, Ebola and dengue fever, could help us to minimise their impact. New research points the way to a fossil record of viruses that have insinuated themselves into the genomes of insects and other animals, providing clues about their evolutionary history. The findings, published online on November 18 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, could enable scientists to elucidate general principles in virus evolution from their genetic 'fossils,' which in turn could inform approaches for controlling disease...

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