THE BIOLOGIST APPRENTICE
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Support
  • Press
  • Contact

Ancient "Giant Virus" Revived

4/27/2015

0 Comments

 
Imagen
A Pithovirus (above, as viewed by electron microscopy) was found to be still active and able to infect an amoeba.
Buried deep in the Siberian permafrost scientists found a "giant virus" that has been asleep for 30,000 years. Named Pithovirus sibericum, it contains 500 genes and was revived in the lab. The researchers are now trying to assess if ancient viruses such as this one could pose a threat for humans. 

Giant viruses are not just bigger but are hardier than others as well, said the researchers. This hardiness, along with a favorable environment, likely helped the newly discovered specimen stay intact for the thousands of years that it did. Viruses are often destroyed or rendered inactive by a number of factors, including light and biochemical degradation.

Read more: news.nationalgeographic.com


Sepultado en el hielo grueso de Siberia los científicos encontraron un "virus gigante" que ha estado dormido durante 30.000 años. Nombrado Pithovirus sibericum, contiene 500 genes y fue revivido en el laboratorio. Los investigadores están tratando de determinar si los virus antiguos como éste podrían representar una amenaza para los seres humanos.

Los virus gigantes no son sólo grandes, pero son más resistentes que otros también, dijeron los investigadores. Esta resistencia, junto con un entorno favorable, probablemente ayudó a que la muestra recién descubierta permanezca intactas durante los miles de años que lo hizo. Los virus son a menudo destruidos o se vuelven inactivos por un número de factores, incluyendo la luz y la degradación bioquímica.

Leer más: news.nationalgeographic.com
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Blog Archive
    ​
    This blog isn't active anymore
    ​Disclaimer

    All the pictures on this blog and social networks belong to their respective authors and proper credits are given. Photos are used for illustrative and educational purposes only.

    Todas las fotografías de este blog y redes sociales son propiedad de sus respectivos autores, se mencionan los respectivos créditos. Estas fotos son únicamente utilizadas con fines ilustrativos y educativos.


    Archives

    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    July 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Support
  • Press
  • Contact