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A giant virus that lay dormant under the Siberian permafrost for 30,000 years, has come back to life.
The ancient pathogen called Pithovirus sibericum which belongs to a class of "giant viruses", was discovered by a team of French scientists. It had been sleeping 30m down in the frozen ground but when it was defrosted back in the lab, it came back to life and is still infectious.
Professor Jean-Michel Claverie from the National Centre of Scientific Research at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, said " This is the first time we`ve seen a virus that is still infectious after this length of time".
The virus attacks amoebas but is no threat to animals or humans. However, researchers believe more dangerous pathogens could also lie under the Siberian permafrost.
Abstract: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/02/26/1320670111
BBC coverage along with an interview with Professor Jean-Michel Claverie:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26387276
The ancient pathogen called Pithovirus sibericum which belongs to a class of "giant viruses", was discovered by a team of French scientists. It had been sleeping 30m down in the frozen ground but when it was defrosted back in the lab, it came back to life and is still infectious.
Professor Jean-Michel Claverie from the National Centre of Scientific Research at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, said " This is the first time we`ve seen a virus that is still infectious after this length of time".
The virus attacks amoebas but is no threat to animals or humans. However, researchers believe more dangerous pathogens could also lie under the Siberian permafrost.
Abstract: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/02/26/1320670111
BBC coverage along with an interview with Professor Jean-Michel Claverie:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26387276