TWiV 419: The selfless gene

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler The TWiVrific gang reveal how integration of a virophage into the nuclear genome of a marine protozoan enhances host survival after infection with a giant virus.   Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Microcephaly associated with Zika virus infection in Colombia (MMWR) Virophage genome integration and activation by superinfection (Nature) Don Nelson interview (pdf) Page view and h index for paper rank (PLoS One) Credit for image of C. roenbergensis Letters read on TWiV 419 This episode is brought to you by CuriosityStream, a subscription streaming service that offers over 1,400 documentaries and non­fiction series from the world's best filmmakers. Get unlimited access starting at just $2.99 a month, and for our audience, the first two months are completely free if you sign up at curiositystream.com/microbe and use the promo code MICROBE. Weekly Science Picks Alan - Lab Wars Dickson - Star in a Jar Fusion Reactor Rich -You're a Bee. This is What it Feels Like.Kathy - List of Potential Predatory Journals Vincent - CRISPR Patent Trial Begins Listener Pick Drake - Spinzall Katreya - Periodic Videos Pritesh - Smallpox in mummy Send your virology questions and comments to [email protected]