retrovirology
Retrovirology is the study of retroviruses, a family of RNA viruses that replicate through a DNA intermediate. This replication process is unique and is facilitated by an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which is carried within the viral particle. When a retrovirus infects a host cell, it uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA genome into a double-stranded DNA copy. This viral DNA then integrates into the host cell's genome, becoming a permanent part of the cell's genetic material. From this integrated state, the virus can then be transcribed and translated to produce new viral particles.
The most well-known retrovirus is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. However,
Research in retrovirology has been crucial for understanding viral replication mechanisms, the development of antiviral therapies,