Beneficial Mutations in Lytic Viruses

Lytic viruses are obligate parasites whose adaptation rates have attracted considerable scientific interest, as they are a key model organism in experimental evolution. Adaptation experiments using these viruses are characterized by growth, mutation, and periodic sampling that ultimately influence the fate of a rare beneficial mutation. In this book, we first discuss the concept of fixation probability in context of a literature review. Next, we develop a model that captures the essential life-history traits of lytic viruses. The model is then used to study the fixation probabilities and adaptation rates of beneficial mutations in these traits, largely in context of experimental evolution. The results and analysis of this book provide a theoretical guideline on the qualitative nature of results that would be expected through experimentation.