A koala virus could help researchers explain millions of years of accumulated ‘junk’ DNA in human genomes.
Researchers from The University of Queensland are studying a virus infecting koalas in the hope it could demonstrate how viruses have altered the DNA of humans and other species throughout history.
Virologist Professor Paul Young said the team has analysed the effects of the retrovirus infection, which is a virus which replicates and spreads within DNA.
Professor Young said this research was the first of its kind and was an important opportunity.