Scientists to wake up 30,000-year-old 'giant' virus
The Mollivirus sibericum virus has not been woken since the last Ice Age
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
French scientists are preparing to wake up a 30,000-year-old 'giant' virus.
A team from the French National Centre for Scientific Research discovered the prehistoric virus, called Mollivirus sibericum, underground in north-eastern Siberian permafrost, reports CNET.
And now they plan to give it its first “wake-up call” since the last Ice Age.
The scientists will first check to ensure the virus is not harmful to humans or animals.
They hope studying it could increase understanding of ancient dormant viruses that may spread again in the future as permafrost retreats at the hands of climate change.
Mollivirus sibericum – which translates as ‘soft virus from Siberia’ – is classified as a giant virus because it is visible by light microscopy.
The same team of researchers discovered another giant, 30,000-year-old virus, called Pithovirus sibericum, last year in the same permafrost.
The scientists announced their study into the viruses in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal this week.
A summary of their work said: “Analysis of the permafrost sample uncovered the presence of both viruses, yet in very low amount.
“The fact that two different viruses retain their infectivity in prehistorical permafrost layers should be of concern in a context of global warming.
“Giant viruses’ diversity remains to be fully explored.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments