An ancient virus has "come back to life" after lying dormant for at least 30,000 years, scientists say.
It was found frozen in a deep layer of the Siberian permafrost, but after it thawed it became infectious once again. The French scientists say the contagion poses no danger to humans or animals, but other viruses could be unleashed as the ground becomes exposed.
The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Professor Jean-Michel Claverie, from the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, said: "This is the first time we've seen a virus that's still infectious after this length of time."
The ancient pathogen was discovered buried 30m (100ft) down in the frozen ground. Called Pithovirus sibericum, it belongs to a class of giant viruses that were discovered 10 years ago. These are all so large that, unlike other viruses, they can be seen under a microscope. And this one, measuring 1.5 micrometres in length, is the biggest that has ever been found. The last time it infected anything was more than 30,000 years ago, but in the laboratory it has sprung to life once again.
Tests show that it attacks amoebas, which are single-celled organisms, but does not infect humans or other animals.
Co-author Dr Chantal Abergel, also from the CNRS, said: "It comes into the cell, multiplies and finally kills the cell. It is able to kill the amoeba - but it won't infect a human cell."
However, the researchers believe that other more deadly pathogens could be locked in Siberia's permafrost. "We are addressing this issue by sequencing the DNA that is present in those layers," said Dr Abergel. "This would be the best way to work out what is dangerous in there."
The researchers say this region is under threat. Since the 1970s, the permafrost has retreated and reduced in thickness, and climate change projections suggest it will decrease further. It has also become more accessible, and is being eyed for its natural resources.
Prof Claverie warns that exposing the deep layers could expose new viral threats.
He said: "It is a recipe for disaster. If you start having industrial explorations, people will start to move around the deep permafrost layers. Through mining and drilling, those old layers will be penetrated and this is where the danger is coming from."
He told BBC News that ancient strains of the smallpox virus, which was declared eradicated 30 years ago, could pose a risk. "If it is true that these viruses survive in the same way those amoeba viruses survive, then smallpox is not eradicated from the planet - only the surface," he said.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday September 15 2015, @12:22AM
Does anyone know if any of the single cell organisms in the Human gut are related to amoebae and might be susceptible to this virus?
It might not be able to kill a Human cell but if it could be bad if it caused you guts micro-biom to get so far out of whack that it started producing toxins.
Until they know I would hope they are treating this virus as a potentially dangerous pathogen.
And one shudders to think what else might lie frozen in the permafrost.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 15 2015, @01:29AM
Until they know I would hope they are treating this virus as a potentially dangerous pathogen.
The military is loving it. They are looking at possibilities of producing pathogens with abilities never seen before. Something even better than a programmable race-specific virus.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Tuesday September 15 2015, @02:15AM
I had the opposite thought -- could this virus be used to kill amoeba infections in humans? It should be safe enough to try, if it only kills amoebas and doesn't infect humans (as stated above).
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 15 2015, @12:13PM
No, bacteria in the GI tract are not closely related enough to be susceptible to this virus.
It is also very unlikely to remain infectious after being exposed to stomach acid or antimicrobial peptides.