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Researchers at the Nanoscience Center in the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, have made a groundbreaking discovery by isolating a giant virus for the first time in the country. This newly identified virus has been named Jyvaskylavirus and suggests that giant viruses may be more widespread in northern regions than previously believed. The research underscores the fact that many viral structures remain unexplored regarding their origins and functionality.
Viruses are omnipresent in our environment. The majority of these naturally occurring viruses are benign to humans and contribute significantly to ecosystem dynamics. Recently, scientists have identified giant viruses, some comparable in size to bacteria. These giant viruses primarily target amoebas and other microscopic organisms. However, most of the known giant viruses have been discovered in Europe and South America, and our understanding of their life cycles and geographical distribution is still inadequate.
The Finnish giant virus shares links with French counterparts
The research project that led to the isolation of Jyvaskylavirus is a pioneering effort in Finland. The virus was discovered when researchers combined environmental samples with the amoeba species Acanthamoeba castellanii. The diameter of this virus particle measures approximately 200 nanometers, making it roughly twice the size of common viruses like influenza and coronaviruses.
Professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg from the University of Jyväskylä noted, “Through a collaborative effort on an international scale, we have successfully mapped out the genome and structural characteristics of Jyvaskylavirus, which aligns it with Marseilleviruses that were isolated earlier from France. Additionally, we detected other novel giant viruses in the environmental samples.”
Giant viruses play a crucial role in microbial ecosystems
This discovery points to a greater prevalence of giant viruses in soil and aquatic environments, even in northern climates. It opens new avenues for understanding the intricate interactions between microbial life and the role viruses play in regulating various living populations.
“This finding will enhance our understanding of how microbes interact with one another and how viruses influence the dynamics of organisms in ecosystems, while also providing fresh insights into the structural diversity of giant viruses,” concluded Sundberg.
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