The discovery and "revival" of a contagious giant virus, which has been buried in the icy underground of Siberia for 30 years, prompts scientists to warn of the possible re-emergence of other viruses and germs and the consequent return of human-threatening diseases. science fiction movie script.
Scientists from France and Russia have discovered the giant virus in a sample of frozen ground from an area on its northeastern edge. Laboratory experiments subsequently demonstrated that the virus was again capable of attacking amoebae-single-cell microorganisms - although it does not pose a threat to multicellular organisms or to humans.
Whatever the virus is harmless for humans and animals, its "resurrection" is a warning sign for potential dangers that could cause the melting of ice in remote areas due to climate change, because ancient pathogenic viruses they could become active again.
The unusual oval virus (1,5 length and 0,5 micrometer width) is 30% larger than the largest known virus, but also from certain bacteria, making it visible by optical microscope without the need for electronics, as is the case with other viruses . It has specific features and only a third of its proteins resemble the proteins of other known viruses, so scientists called it "Pithovirus sibericum", creating a new group.
The fact that giant viruses usually affect single-celled organisms (although exceptions have been identified) can not be a cause for complacency, as the prospect - whether due to global warming or mining activities in the Arctic for oil, and to "defrost" other ancient viruses could really bring out or restore old threats.
"The regeneration of viruses that are thought to have been eliminated, such as poxviruses (the proliferation process of which is similar to that of the pituitary), should not be considered only a matter of science fiction," warns the National Center for Scientific Research in France.
