Giant virus, not seen before at northerly latitudes, discovered in soil in Finland

Researchers at the Nanoscience Center in University of Jyväskylä, Finland, have for the first time in Finland, isolated a giant virus which has been named ‘Jyvaskylavirus’. The discovery suggests that giant viruses are more common in northern regions than previously thought and underlining that there are still many structures have not been properly studied.   

Most viruses are harmless to humans and can play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems – they are everywhere. Giant viruses have been discovered, in recent years, that can be as large as bacteria. These viruses infect amoebas and other microscopic organisms. However, most of the giant viruses thus far identified have been found in warmer parts of Europe and in South America.

The University of Jyväskylä study is the first to isolate a giant virus in and was discovered when environmental samples were mixed with a culture of amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. The virus particle found is 200 nanometres in diameter which is about double that of a coronavirus or influenza.  

Analysis of the virus’ genome and structure found it to be related to the Marseilleviruses isolated in France. Other new giant viruses have also been detected in environmental samples said Professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg from the University of Jyväskylä.  

The finding indicates that giant viruses are more prevalent than thought in soil and water, even in northern environments. The discovery will help to understand the interactions between microbes and the role of viruses in regulating populations of all living organisms, as well as providing new insights into the structure of giant viruses, says Sundberg.  

For further reading please visit: 10.7554/eLife.103492.3