Shocking discovery! 230 giant viruses found lurking in Earth’s oceans; scientists say

Scientists have uncovered hundreds of new ‘giant viruses’ also known as ‘

giruses

’, in oceans worldwide. They used advanced computer software to analyse and unravel many types of viruses present in waterways and oceans, and identified 230 unknown giant viruses. This finding is significant as it sheds light on the role of viruses in

ocean ecosystems

, particularly their impact on microscopic marine organisms like algae and amoeba, which are crucial to the ocean’s food chain and health. This research advances our understanding of

giant viruses

and their role in shaping marine ecosystems.

Giant ocean viruses discovered with the power to alter photosynthesis

The study published in Nature npj Viruses, titled “Expansion of the Genomic and Functional Diversity of Global Ocean Giant Viruses”, reports the discovery of numerous previously unknown giant genomes and 530 novel functional proteins, significantly expanding the existing scientific understanding of viral diversity in the world’s oceans. Notably, nine of these proteins involved

photosynthesis

, indicating that these viruses may have the ability to manipulate the host’s photosynthesis during infection, providing new insights into the interaction between the virus and host, and complex relationships between their biological processes.

ocean

Insights from the study

The study revealed that most of the giant viruses belonged to two classifications:

Algavirales

and Imitervirales. Algavirales, typically 100-200 nanometers in diameter, specialize in infecting photosynthetic algae, while Imitervirales possess a flexible genetic strategy that allows them to potentially survive in a wider variety of hosts. With their enormous genetic material, giant viruses may be able to manipulate their hosts more effectively, making them potentially more problematic than other viruses.

Giant viruses have been discovered in various marine environments, with a notable concentration in colder regions. The study found that the Baltic Sea and Antarctic waters are rich reservoirs of these viruses, with 108 and 65 discoveries, respectively. Other locations, such as the Arctic, South Pacific, and North Atlantic, also yielded significant findings. This suggests that many more giant viruses remain to be discovered, particularly in colder marine environments.

Researchers' take on the study of giant viruses found in ocean

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding giant viruses through metagenomic approaches, but much remains to be discovered, particularly in the oceans. A new study used the BEREN tool to uncover 230 novel marine giant virus genomes and 398 partial genomes, providing insights into their functional potential and ecological impact. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, a co-author of the study said, "By better understanding the diversity and role of giant viruses in the ocean and how they interact with algae and other ocean microbes, we can predict and possibly manage harmful algal blooms, which are human health hazards in Florida as well as all over the world.” “Giant viruses are often the main cause of death for many phytoplankton, which serve as the base of the food web supporting ocean ecosystems and food sources. The novel functions found in giant viruses could have biotechnological potential, as some of these functions might represent novel enzymes”.Another author, Benjamin Minch, said, “This study allowed us to create a framework to improve existing tools for detecting novel viruses that could aid in our ability to monitor pollution and pathogens in our waterways”.Also read | Moon’s volcanic history trapped in tiny glass beads: A valuable clue for NASA