A new paper co-authored by BICS’ own Dr. Robert Hanner looks at the genome assembly of Culicoides stellifer (a biting midge), which shows evidence of a non-retroviral endogenous viral element. For vector species, like the ones in the genus Culicoides, this information is critical for understanding the genetics of virus-host association and the evolution of vector competence in dipterans. Studies like these will play a part in developing a multidisciplinary approach to understanding virus-host interactions and managing viral pathogen transmission to livestock and wildlife.
