Glossary

Pertaining to a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of retroviruses. For example, HIV is a retrovirus as it inserts a DNA copy of its RNA genome into the DNA of the host cell.

The protein shell of a virus.

The range of differences observed.

The change in heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

The genetic modification of cells to produce a therapeutic effect or the treatment of disease by repairing or reconstructing defective genetic material. (Source: Wikipedia)

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell, organism or virus.

A principal taxonomic category that ranks below family and above species, and is denoted by a capitalized Latin name.

A larger organism that harbors a smaller organism; for instance, a cat which harbors a virus.

A genetic variant, a subtype or a culture within a biological species.

The branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms.