Bette Korber Publishes Review Comparing Evolution of HIV-1 And COVID-19

Bette Korber Publishes Review Comparing Evolution of HIV-1 And COVID-19

Bette Korber, a senior scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the New Mexico Consortium, recently has published research which compares the COVID-19 virus with a very different virus HIV-1. This work published in the July issue of Cell Host & Microbe is titled, HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2: Patterns in the evolution of two pandemic pathogens.

The paper provides a comparative review of two global pandemics caused by very different RNA viruses. HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS, has been circulating in the human population for decades, while SARS-CoV-2 emerged only recently and rapidly spread around the world. Although the two viruses differ dramatically in their biology, transmission, and disease progression, the researchers found that many of the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped HIV-1 over time are also influencing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.

The study examines patterns of genetic change across thousands of HIV-1 genomes and hundreds of thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected and sequenced since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparing these extensive datasets, the researchers analyzed the frequency of mutations, their distribution throughout viral genomes and evolutionary lineages, and the role of insertions and deletions in the emergence of new variants.

At its core, the research explores how mutations generate genetic diversity in viruses and how natural selection acts on that diversity. While mutations occur randomly, those that provide an advantage—such as increased transmissibility, improved immune evasion, or enhanced survival—can become more common over time. Understanding these patterns is essential for understanding how viruses adapt and evolve.

The comparison between HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 provides valuable insights because HIV-1 has been studied for decades, offering a long-term perspective on viral evolution. By examining similarities and differences between the two viruses, researchers can better understand the evolutionary forces acting on SARS-CoV-2 and identify trends that may influence its future development.

This work has important implications for public health and pandemic preparedness. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, scientists must not only monitor and identify emerging variants but also understand the evolutionary processes that drive those changes. Studying mutation patterns and evolutionary trajectories can help researchers anticipate future developments, improve surveillance efforts, and support the design of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies.

By drawing lessons from the long evolutionary history of HIV-1, this research provides a valuable framework for understanding the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and highlights the importance of genomic surveillance in responding to current and future viral threats.

To learn more read the entire article as a pdf see: HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2: Patterns in the evolution of two pandemic pathogens.