SV40 and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice
SV stands for “Simian Virus”, a virus that infects monkeys. Viruses are adept at co-opting our cells’ metabolism, redirecting the native abilities of the cell to ends that benefit only the virus. One of the tricks that SV40 uses is called a promoter. Promoters turn genes on, so they become active. Background: (Almost) every cell in … Read more