Coinfection and the Consequences for RNA Virus Evolution

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Most natural infections contain multiple viruses, and this hasimportant consequences for virus evolution. On the one hand, virusescan swap genes during co-infection, creating variability that allowsrapid virus evolution. On the other hand, increased competition betweenviruses can occur during co-infection, slowing the rate of virusevolution. This suggests a compromise where viruses evolve to restrictthe numbers that enter a cell (to decrease competition) without reducingthe number to one (to achieve gene exchange). Given the widespreadoccurrence of virus co-infection, it is surprising that the costs andbenefits of this phenomenon are virtually unexplored. The focus of thisproject is to address the question using viruses that infect bacteria.Laboratory experiments will examine the evolution of virus traits thatcontrol co-infection numbers, and molecular analyses will determine thegenetic changes responsible. The results of this project can be applied to several systemsbecause viruses are important disease agents in animals, plants, andbacteria. Because the life cycle of the project virus is similar tothat of many human viruses (such as influenza and HIV), the project datashould contribute greatly to a better understanding of the generalizedrole of virus co-infection in human illnesses.