retrovirus
noun
ret·ro·vi·rus
ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs 
: any of a family (Retroviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that produce reverse transcriptase by means of which DNA is produced using their RNA as a template and incorporated into the genome of infected cells, that are often tumorigenic, and that include the lentiviruses (such as the HIVs) and the causative agent of Rous sarcoma
Examples of retrovirus in a Sentence
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Koalas are also vulnerable to cancers, fungal infections, herpes, parasites, kidney problems, mange, and a retrovirus that might leave them immunocompromised.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024
The trial described involved using a retrovirus to deliver a functional copy of the missing or defective gene into the patient's cells.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Researchers at the retrovirus conference presented favorable results from two HIV vaccine studies.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
However, when an RNA-containing retrovirus infects a host cell, the RNA is converted to DNA and then inserted into the cell’s genome.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2019
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Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024
The trial described involved using a retrovirus to deliver a functional copy of the missing or defective gene into the patient's cells.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Researchers at the retrovirus conference presented favorable results from two HIV vaccine studies.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
However, when an RNA-containing retrovirus infects a host cell, the RNA is converted to DNA and then inserted into the cell’s genome.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2019
See all Example Sentences for retrovirus
Dictionary Entries Near retrovirus
Cite this Entry
“Retrovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrovirus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retrovirus
noun
ret·ro·vi·rus
ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs
: any of a group of RNA-containing viruses (as HIV) that replicate by becoming incorporated into the chromosomes of infected cells in the form of DNA which is produced from the viral RNA
Medical Definition
retrovirus
noun
ret·ro·vi·rus
ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs
: any of the family Retroviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses
called also RNA tumor virus
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