Interesting parallel with computer malware = LOTL where the attacking computer virus uses the embedded code used by the OS as picked up local attack tools. In a cell, time and adaptive advantage would cause competition between the host proteins and the viral coat proteins for whatever cellular task. If the viral ones are better = cell health uses them preferentially, but has the host protein as a less efficient fall back. It would thus tend to want to stay infected with the virus, while the immune system wants it cleared? Would this result in a need for the virus or would the cell grab patterns it wants to prosper with? Of course, we have deep time to contend with. Harkening to the roots of CRISPR as a bacterial immune system where things are tagged to be rejected - is there a similar system where patterns can be marked to prosper?