They’re invisible to the naked eye, yet powerful enough to rewrite the chemistry of oceans and the fate of coastal ecosystems. Now we know there are 230 more of them.
Key Points at a Glance
- Scientists discovered 230 new giant virus genomes in global ocean data
- Some viruses manipulate photosynthesis and carbon metabolism in their hosts
- A new tool, BEREN, allowed identification of previously undetectable viral sequences
- Findings could help predict harmful algal blooms and monitor ocean health
They infect microscopic algae, hijack the cell’s internal machinery, and control the base of the ocean’s food web. Meet the giant viruses—some of Earth’s most mysterious life forms. In a new study published in npj Viruses, researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School have uncovered 230 never-before-seen species of these genomic behemoths using a custom-built bioinformatic tool named BEREN.
“These viruses don’t just kill—they manipulate,” explains Mohammad Moniruzzaman, co-author and assistant professor of marine biology and ecology. “They carry genes once thought to be exclusive to cellular life, including those tied to photosynthesis and carbon processing.”
That manipulation matters. Many of the viruses infect marine protists like algae and flagellates—the very organisms responsible for producing a significant fraction of Earth’s oxygen and regulating carbon in the atmosphere. By reprogramming their hosts, giant viruses influence ocean biogeochemistry and can even trigger or suppress harmful algal blooms (HABs) that affect human health and marine life.
Until now, identifying these giant viruses in marine environments has been nearly impossible. Standard bioinformatics pipelines often miss them because of their immense genetic complexity and low abundance. But using BEREN, a novel algorithm designed to spot giant virus genomes in massive sequencing datasets, the team combed through data from nine global ocean surveys, from the Arctic to the tropics.
Lead author Benjamin Minch, a PhD student at the Rosenstiel School, processed these datasets using the university’s Pegasus supercomputer. BEREN recovered entire viral genomes, many of which encoded novel proteins—530 in total—including nine with roles in photosynthesis. “This is a treasure chest of unknown molecular tools,” said Minch. “Some of these proteins could eventually be harnessed for biotech or environmental applications.”
One of the most striking discoveries was the presence of viral genes that help the host cell continue performing photosynthesis even during infection. It’s a stunning strategy: keep the algae alive just long enough to harvest energy, replicate, and burst out.
For scientists monitoring coastal waters for HABs or pollution, these findings are a game-changer. By understanding how giant viruses behave—and what conditions cause them to spike—researchers could better forecast when harmful blooms will occur and how to respond.
The team has made BEREN freely available to the public, inviting other scientists to explore its power in uncovering hidden viruses in environmental data. It’s a move that could democratize viral discovery and help build global resilience against marine disruptions.
“We’re only beginning to understand the massive impact these viruses have,” said Moniruzzaman. “This study not only expands the known diversity of ocean viruses—it opens new paths for predicting and managing the invisible forces shaping marine ecosystems.”
Source: University of Miami Rosenstiel School
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