The Evolution of Viruses - Zhdanov, V. M. 1990

Preface

This book is the final work of Academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences V. M. Zhdanov. The monograph is dedicated to the evolution of Viruses, a subject to which V. M. Zhdanov returned throughout his entire scientific career. Structure/149.html">The problem of organic evolution was his cherished field, a passion to which he devoted his free time and pursued with characteristic fervor. His interest in virus evolution emerged at the very beginning of his scientific journey. His broad erudition in biological problems, as well as general and specialized virology, led to his election in the late 1950s as a lifetime member of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, alongside such classical figures of virology as C. Andrewes, F. Fenner, F. Holmes, A. Lwoff, R. Matthews, H. Pereira, and P. Wildy. He participated directly in the meticulous work of classifying vertebrate, plant, and insect viruses—work impossible without an understanding of viral evolution, which today has become one of the fundamental criteria underlying viral Classification. Tackling the problem of virus evolution required a scientist with specialized knowledge not only in virology but also in related disciplines such as biology, molecular biology, chemistry, and Epidemiology. V. M. Zhdanov was precisely such a scientist. According to his own vivid expression, one should change the scientific focus of their activities every 7 years. He repeatedly shifted his scientific pursuits and effectively acquired a brand-new specialty each time, striking everyone with the depth of his knowledge and the sharpness of his thought. He began as an epidemiologist, and epidemiologists still regard him as one of the most brilliant and talented professionals who shaped The formation of this science. This was followed by fields such as chemistry, molecular biology, and Introduction/32.html">Genetic Engineering, yet throughout all this time, he remained a virologist and an evolutionist.

The creative legacy left by V. M. Zhdanov in the field of virus evolution is immense; it includes 4 monographs published between 1953 and 1984, as well as numerous articles and reports. His final book, "The Evolution of Viruses," holds a special place in this legacy. It stands as the pinnacle of V. M. Zhdanov's scientific creativity. Evolutionary theory has traditionally been built on empirical data gathered from studying a limited range of objects, leaving viruses out of the equation. Adhering to a progressive scientific concept, the author moves away from the narrow view that viruses are merely isolated agents of human, animal, and plant diseases. Viruses are an integral part of the biosphere; their evolution unfolds across a broad biological front and represents one of the manifestations of organic evolution. V. M. Zhdanov advances the idea that examining viruses deepens our evolutionary understanding and broadens the scientific worldview. Consequently, this monograph is of immense interest not only to virologists but also to biologists across a wide spectrum of disciplines.

V. M. Zhdanov's book compiles a vast body of empirical material on the evolution of viruses affecting humans, vertebrates, Arthropods, plants, and Bacteria. It is an encyclopedia of the Evolution of the realm Vira. Such a comprehensive compendium is unprecedented in world literature. V. M. Zhdanov's books on evolution have profoundly influenced the establishment and shaping of the scientific mindset of several generations of researchers. This monograph continues that tradition. Unique empirical data and a general biological perspective on The Nature of the phenomena under Discussion provide an excellent launchpad for further intellectual flights.

The foundation of the book was laid several years ago, but the author was in no rush to publish it. Instead, he continued working on it, refining his concepts, gathering literature, and searching for new Examples. The evolution of life was for him an inspiring theme, a subject of deep reflection, discussions with friends, and debates with scientific opponents. The manuscript constantly rested on his desk, and he worked on it until his final days, revising and expanding its chapters. He devoted an immense amount of energy and health to the AIDS problem in the USSR, being among the first to fully assess the scale of the impending danger. The Water/144.html">Origin of the HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS and its evolution became the subject of one of the book's chapters. He likely would have changed and supplemented much, given how rapidly this field of science is enriched with new facts and how swiftly virology develops. A large body of unfinished author's texts and illustrations remained that did not make it into the book. We apologize to readers for the lack of certain explanations in the text and figure captions, as well as several bibliographic References, particularly regarding the illustrations. Most of the figures were adapted from foreign journals such as the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA," "Cell," "J. Virology," and "Nature." In most cases, V. M. Zhdanov introduced modifications and additions to these illustrations.

We hope that this book will foster the further development of scientific Perspectives on the processes of organic and viral evolution.