Evolutionary virology

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Evolutionary virology is the study of the evolution of viruses.

Researchers focus on the behaviour of viral species populations or infections in response to external selection pressures and internal mutational constraints. These may include:

• Host immune system challenge,
• Antiviral drug administration,
• Interspecific competition from other viruses.

[edit] Goals

A common goal of study is to predict the response of medically important viruses such as HIV, Influenza and Hepatitis C to large scale public health interventions, such as immunization.