This is somewhat off-topic (but maybe represents interesting reading). I recently found this substack article on RNA virus evolution which I thought you and Bret might be interested to read.
The article presents a number of ideas that were new to me and yield possibly a greater understanding of how RNA viruses evolve. A key idea is that the virus genome results in a "swarm" of variants within each infection, with different variants better-adapted to target different tissues; these variants are carried within the genome of the virions that start the infection and rely on rapid mutation from that genome to arise and dominate in specific tissues.
Thanks for all the work you do on the book and podcast - I greatly enjoy them!
I just want to say how delighted I am that most of these books are on audible. What a happy surprise!!!
This is somewhat off-topic (but maybe represents interesting reading). I recently found this substack article on RNA virus evolution which I thought you and Bret might be interested to read.
https://harvard2thebighouse.substack.com/p/understanding-covid-19-and-seasonal
The article presents a number of ideas that were new to me and yield possibly a greater understanding of how RNA viruses evolve. A key idea is that the virus genome results in a "swarm" of variants within each infection, with different variants better-adapted to target different tissues; these variants are carried within the genome of the virions that start the infection and rely on rapid mutation from that genome to arise and dominate in specific tissues.
Thanks for all the work you do on the book and podcast - I greatly enjoy them!