Virus unknown to science found in the waters of the Pacific Ocean

(ORDO NEWS) — A new virus discovered in the Pacific Ocean is believed to be the deepest virus ever found in Earth‘s oceans. The virus was found at a depth of 8,900 meters in the Mariana Trench.

The new virus belongs to the category of so-called bacteriophages, which infect bacteria and multiply inside them.

Bacteriophages are considered the most common life forms on Earth and play a fundamental role in the ecology of the world‘s oceans, helping to regulate population sizes and releasing nutrients.

According to scientists, the new virus cannot infect a person. After genomic analysis, it was named vB_HmeY_H4907.

Although this virus was discovered very recently, researchers believe that it is most likely widespread in the ocean. In its structure, it is similar to the bacterium Chalomonas, which is often found in sediments and geyser vents on the sea floor.

Ming Wang, a marine virologist at the Ocean University of China, said the discovery could provide the basis for new research into the survival of viruses in the harshest conditions on Earth.

—

Online:

Contact us: [email protected]

Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.

To eliminate any confusion arising from different time zones and daylight saving changes, all times displayed on our platforms are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).