ISLAMABAD: In a discovery straight out of science fiction, researchers at the University of Miami have identified hundreds of mysterious giant viruses hidden deep within the world’s oceans.
Unlike typical viruses that are invisible to the naked eye, these so-called giant viruses—also known as giruses—are significantly larger in size, rivaling some bacteria.
Scientists discovered 230 previously unknown giant virus species during a large-scale marine study, raising new questions about the unseen viral forces shaping our environment.
What Makes These Giant Viruses Unique
Giant viruses differ greatly from the typical viruses known to science. While most viruses measure between 20 and 200 nanometers, some of the newly identified viruses exceed 1,000 nanometers—more than five times the size of average viruses.
To put this in perspective, a human hair measures around 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers in width.
These massive viruses primarily target microscopic aquatic organisms like algae and amoebas, though researchers believe they may also exist in terrestrial ecosystems.
Using advanced genomic analysis through a software tool called BEREN, researchers studied the DNA of various microbes found in seawater samples. The result: an astonishing library of viral genomes never documented before.
Potential Ecological Impact Raises Concern
Though their effect on human health remains uncertain, scientists warn that giant viruses could significantly influence aquatic ecosystems—and even the planet’s climate.
Algae, the primary host of these viruses, play a critical role in the global oxygen cycle by contributing nearly half of the Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis.
When infected by these giant viruses, massive algal blooms—some stretching tens of thousands of kilometers—can collapse suddenly. Such disruptions could reduce oxygen levels and disturb marine food chains, weather patterns, and atmospheric balance.
Researchers emphasize that giant viruses remain vastly understudied and call for increased focus on their role in shaping global ecosystems.
