A video abstract backgrounding the evolutionary origins of  immune defenses based on flipon-conformation.  The role of host encoded repeat elements, such as SINEs and LINEs  that form left-handed Z-DNA and Z-RNAs is discussed   The shape-based immune response protects against viruses old and new, and against cancerous cells. More detail can be found  in  the paper  Herbert A. 2024 The ancient Z-DNA and Z-RNA specific Zα fold has evolved modern roles in immunity and transcription through the natural selection of flipons. R. Soc. Open Sci. 11: 240080.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240080