>[!abstract] >Reassortment is the process by which influenza viruses swap gene segments. This genetic exchange is possible due to the segmented nature of the viral genome and occurs when two differing influenza viruses co-infect a cell. The viral diversity generated through reassortment is vast and plays an important role in the evolution of influenza viruses ([[Steel & Lowen, 2014]]). >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Viral genetics]] >- **West** (similar): [[Recombination]] (genetic exchange in non-segmented viruses, involving crossing-over within a genome) >- **East** (different): [[Clonal replication]] (copying of viral genomes without genetic mixing between strains) >- **South** (downstream): [[Antigenic shift]] (major change in influenza virus subtype due to reassortment, enabling pandemics)