Jonathan Ball, a Professor of Molecular Virology, lays out the basics of viruses, tackling the age-old question of whether they are alive. Martha Clokie, a Professor of Microbiology, highlights therapeutic uses of bacteriophages in combating antibiotic resistance. Marylin Roosinck, Professor Emeritus, discusses beneficial plant viruses and their role in evolution. Together, they explore the surprising roles viruses play in ecosystems and human health, advocating for a shift in our perception of these often-misunderstood microbes.
