Scientists at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland have made a groundbreaking discovery: the first giant virus ever found in the country. The Jyvaskylavirus, measuring 200 nanometers in diameter, is roughly twice the size of influenza or coronavirus viruses.
Giant viruses are distinct from regular ones due to their large size and complex genomes. They infect unicellular organisms like amoebas, not animals or humans. This newly discovered virus expands our understanding of giant viruses’ ecological roles in northern soil and water ecosystems.
Researchers isolated the Jyvaskylavirus by combining environmental samples with a common host organism, Acanthamoeba castellanii. The pathogen was characterized using helium ion microscopy and genome sequencing, revealing its genetic relationship with Marseilleviruses, previously discovered in France.
The discovery sheds new light on giant viruses’ geographic ranges and suggests they may be more widespread in colder soils and waters than initially thought. Scientists believe these biological entities regulate microbial communities, particularly amoeba populations.
Further study of giant viruses like Jyvaskylavirus can aid in understanding virus-host interactions, genomic complexity, and evolutionary biology. This research could lead to new biotechnological tools and discoveries about novel bioactive compounds with medical or industrial applications.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/04/scientists-discover-jyvaskylavirus-finland