Rapid escalation characterizes virus/host arms race

A scanning electron microscope image of a piece of biofilm shows that these microbial communities comprise a very tight association of microbial cells. The bacteria, archaea and viruses in the biofilm grow hundreds of feet underground in the absence of light. (Clara Chan/UC Berkeley)


Rapid escalation characterizes virus/host arms race

May 23, 2008 | User rating: 4.2 / 5 after 5 vote(s)
The interaction between a virus and its host is often portrayed as an arms race, with each new viral attack parried by the host and each new defense by the host one-upped by the virus.