Finland: Jyvaskylavirus, giant virus identified

Researchers at the Center for Nanoscience at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland have isolated a giant virus in their labs. The virus, which has been named Jyvaskylavirus, has a diameter of 200 nanometres, approximately twice that of influenza or coronavirus. Genetic analysis has been used to establish a link between the virus and the Marseilleviruses, which have been known to have been discovered in France. The virus was identified using a culture of the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii combined with environmental samples. This finding represents a significant breakthrough as it demonstrates the presence of these complex structures even in the northern regions of the planet. It was previously hypothesised that giant viruses were predominantly prevalent in Europe and South America. However, there was a paucity of evidence to support this hypothesis, particularly about their presence in colder regions.