The origin and evolution of life as continuing expansion of viral hosts

The emergence of life on Earth likely involved a complicated evolution of the primeval residues via basic intermediate forms capable of self-replication. These primordial replicators could have further evolved into archaic virus-like structures, which in turn became the precursors of the cellular life forms. If viruses were indeed the predecessors of the first cellular life forms as suggested by the 'primordial virus world' and 'virus-first' scenarios, could their hosts themselves emerged and evolved predominantly as factories and reservoirs for virus production and dissemination? In other words, is that hypothetically possible that viruses were not only the originators of cellular life forms and the selfish driving force behind their evolution, but the fundamental reason for both their existence and biological heterogeneity? A short note presented here deliberates on this not entirely unfeasible course of events.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Biosystems
Published
2025-10-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystems.2025.105609
Primary Topic
Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The origin and evolution of life as continuing expansion of viral hosts

Lev G. Nemchinov
Biosystems
Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
article

The origin and evolution of life as continuing expansion of viral hosts

Lev G. Nemchinov
article en

Abstract

The emergence of life on Earth likely involved a complicated evolution of the primeval residues via basic intermediate forms capable of self-replication. These primordial replicators could have further evolved into archaic virus-like structures, which in turn became the precursors of the cellular life forms. If viruses were indeed the predecessors of the first cellular life forms as suggested by the 'primordial virus world' and 'virus-first' scenarios, could their hosts themselves emerged and evolved predominantly as factories and reservoirs for virus production and dissemination? In other words, is that hypothetically possible that viruses were not only the originators of cellular life forms and the selfish driving force behind their evolution, but the fundamental reason for both their existence and biological heterogeneity? A short note presented here deliberates on this not entirely unfeasible course of events.

BiosystemsVol. 257
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 73%
Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.