Retrovirus

Viruses come in many different shapes and sizes and use different methods of replication once they've infected the host cell. A retrovirus is a type of virus that uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to DNA from its RNA genome. The viral DNA then becomes incorporated into the host cell DNA and is known as a provirus. The retrovirus DNA is then passed on to the following generation. There are several characteristics common to all retroviruses: an envelope composed of a lipid bi-layer, dimer RNA, and proteins. Retroviruses have also been known to cause cancer. Retroviruses can cause proto-oncogenes to become incorporated in the proviral DNA. Labconco, Ika Works, and Nalge Nunc make products used in virology laboratories.