Hundreds of viruses contain an unusual DNA ‘letter’, known as Z, expanding the genetic alphabet
All tagged viruses
Making new genes or stealing them?
We discover where genes come from, and how some species steal them
Powder puffs and plasmids - Esther Lederberg
A tale of two Lederberg: Esther’s work on viruses led to a Nobel for her husband, while she struggled to get tenure.
Nobel viruses
It may sound strange, but a chicken virus has won three Nobel prizes. Not bad work for a tiny bag of genes loitering on the edge of life.