Rous Sarcoma Virus

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is a type of virus that can cause cancer in chickens. Discovered in the early 1900s, it was the first virus shown to induce tumors, leading to important research in virology and cancer biology. RSV is a retrovirus, which means it inserts its genetic material into the host's DNA, potentially disrupting normal cell function. Understanding RSV has helped scientists learn more about how some viruses can contribute to cancer development in animals and humans, highlighting the complex relationship between viruses and cancer.