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Why aren't there any viruses that make animals stronger?
- RodgerTheGreat 15y agoI recall reading once about viruses that would infect dying algal cells, repair UV damage and generally patch things together enough to assemble a new generation of viral capsids. The closest thing I could find with a quick search is this article about coral: "Research on cyanophages and vibriophages has revealed that under certain conditions viruses have the potential to help symbiotic algae repair damaged PSII reactions centers, increase their nutrient uptake, survive heightened thermal stress, and fight off bacterial pathogens. Viruses that can perform such tasks could be highly advantageous to corals in periods of global warming and periods of heightened human disturbances.Cyanophages and Vibriophages, that are prevented from becoming solely cheaters that rob the coral algal symbiosis of the nutrients it produces, could be considered a third partner in the coral zooxanthellae symbiosis that helps keep the coral healthy and allows the symbiotic relationship to be maintained." (http://sp11symbiosis.providence.wikispaces.net/Coral-Virus+Symbiosis http://sp11symbiosis.providence.wikispaces.net/Coral-Virus+S...)