Giant virus

Scientists have identified a new virus, which was the largest ever studied. The virus, dubbed Pandoravirus, almost ten times more than other viruses, and only 6% of its genome are similar to genes in other organisms existing on Earth. In this regard, the French researchers have suggested that a virus or preserved from very ancient times, or got to Earth from another planet, such as Mars. Giant virus can only be found under the water, and scientists believe that it does not pose a serious risk to humans. However, researchers who published their findings in the journal "Science", believe that the virus opens up a number of questions about the history of life on Earth. Dr. Jean-Michel Claviere, French Aix-Marseille University (Aix-Marseille University), who found the virus, told NPR: «We believe that we have an open Pandoravirus formed of cellular structures that are no longer there." Sizes of most terrestrial viruses range from 10 to 500 nanometers (nm). Dimensions Pandoravirusa exceed 1000 nm. This means that the virus is big enough to consider it to be a normal school microscope.

Claviere explained that the virus is very large and has an irregular shape that is generally unusual for viruses. Because of this, he at first thought it was a little bacteria, not a virus. The research team went on a hunt for a giant virus after traces of it were found in seawater. Scientists took samples of sediments off the coast of Chile and from a pond in Australia. In the laboratory, they were added into water antibiotics to kill the bacteria present. Then, samples in which no more bacteria, amoebae added. When the single-celled organisms died, the researchers made sure that there is something in the samples of non-bacterial origin. So scientists have discovered and Pandoravirus. After examining him, the team of researchers has discovered that the genetic code of the virus was twice megavirus, who previously was considered the largest ever found. In still greater shock scientists cast the fact that only six percent of the genes of a new virus similar to genes from other organisms are available in the world. According to academic experts, the virus is likely to have extraterrestrial origins. Researchers still do not know why this has become a form of cell virus.

Source: fedpost.ru/sobytiya/43209-obnaruzhen-novyj-gigantskij-virus-zanesennyj-na-zemlyu-s.html