The CRISPR technology commonly used for genome editing was originally based on bacterial defense mechanisms that arose to protect against bacteriophages, though their mode of activation has largely ...

V. The ancient Virus World and evolution of cells. Biology Direct 19, 29 (2006) Koonin, E. V. & Wolf, Y. I. Genomics of bacteria and archaea: The emerging dynamic view of the prokaryotic world.

Could today's single-stranded RNA viruses be descendants of these precellular RNA molecules? Others have argued that precursors of today's NCLDVs led to the emergence of eukaryotic cells.

Genetic studies have made it clear that eukaryotic horizontal gene transfer can and does ... In addition to inserting their own genetic material into their hosts, viruses can pick up and carry genes ...

Eukaryogenesis occurred suddenly, driven by the growing length of genes and the limitations on producing longer proteins. An ...

Teaching: Dr. Ferran teaches several courses including Virology, Infectious Disease: Impact on Society and Culture, and Eukaryotic Gene Regulation and Disease. Research Interests: Her research lab ...