Paleovirology
Paleovirology is the scientific study of ancient viruses that have integrated their genetic material into the genomes of various organisms over the course of evolution. Researchers in this field analyze the genetic remnants of these ancient viruses to better understand their impact on the evolution of host organisms and the role they may have played in shaping genetic diversity. By studying the interactions between ancient viruses and their hosts, paleovirologists seek to gain insights into the co-evolutionary processes that have shaped the genetic landscape of living organisms.