Using Viruses to Build Complexity

ChEMS Lecture

Featuring Luis P. Villarreal, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Director, Center for Virus Research
University of California, Irvine

Location: Computer Science (CS) 174

Abstract:
Viruses have always represented the interface between the physical- chemical world and the living biological world.  Recently, we have come to realize that viruses are and probably always have been the most abundant biological entity on the planet.

Viruses are molecular genetic parasites most often thought of in the context of disease.  Acute disease causing viruses have enormous rates of adaptation and evolution.  However, most viruses persist in and are co-evolving with host.  Such viruses colonize only specific host, are silent and have very slow rates of evolution.  It now appears that such persisting viruses have been the source of much biological complexity.  They overlay new molecular genetic identity and control systems onto their host; hence they drive the evolution of host complexity and immunity.

This may explain why the genomes of most higher organisms are predominantly viral in character.  The experimental simplicity and adaptability of viral systems has also made them the main platform for the invention and development of new technology.  Essentially all major methods of molecular biology were first developed with viruses.

In this seminar, Dr. Villarreal will give a brief overview of the history of virology and how it now appears to relate to host evolution.  He will also note the past and new technologies that were first developed with the aid of virus systems.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Villarreal’s career interests include virus evolution, viral gene expression, tissue specificity,  gene therapy vectors and cancer virology.  In the past decade, he has published numerous articles and several books, including a recent book on virus and host evolution. He has also been the director of a BSL3 and recombinant DNA laboratory.  He is currently the director of the Center for Virus Research, an organized research unit at the University of California.  Also he has recently joined the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) for NIH.