How does Koonin's work apply to the origin of viruses?
My work on viral evolution directly addresses questions about the origins of viruses. By analyzing the genetic makeup and evolutionary trajectories of diverse viral lineages, I investigate their relationships to cellular genomes and explore hypotheses about their emergence. This includes studying the roles of gene acquisition, genome reduction, and horizontal gene transfer in shaping viral diversity. Understanding these processes is key to comprehending not only viral evolution but also the broader landscape of early life.
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