Paleovirology
This page is currently being authored by an undergraduate researcher at Penn State Brandywine. The page will be posted before the end of November 2015.
Paleovirology is the study of ancient viruses. Scientists hope that by learning more about ancient viruses, they will be able to better understand modern viruses. By looking at the morphology, as well as their genetic makeup, scientists are able to determine most, if not all, of the life cycle of a given ancient virus. Some of these viruses have been found buried deep within the Siberian permafrost, and these viruses have begun opening up the field of paleovirolgy.
Pandoraviruses
What are these ancient viruses? Pandoraviruses are essentially ancient viruses with more complex genetic makeup. While most common viruses today contain roughly double-digit numbers of genes (for example: HIV has only 12 genes), these ancient viruses can contain upwards of 500 different genes. These ancient viruses are also much larger than modern viruses, measuring approximately 1.5 microns in length[1]. These pandoraviruses are a glimpse into the prehistoric realm of viruses, and can potentially lead to new discoveries in their contemporaries.
Subheading
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Pithovirus Sibericum
The most recent, and still infectious, virus found within the Siberian permafrost in 2014. This virus is known to be 30,000 years old, and has been found to be still infectious in a laboratory setting[3].
Subheading
In longer articles, it may make sense to have another level of headings. There are not many occasions when you will need to use H4 headings (four = signs), so don't go there unless it's unavoidable. Never use more than four.[4]
See also
Other closely related articles in this wiki include:
References
- ↑ Pappas, S. (n.d.). Frozen Giant Virus Still Infectious After 30,000 Years. Accessed October 29, 2015.
- ↑ Matt Hall, 2013, pers. comm. Sorry, this is the best reference I can find.
- ↑ Sirucek, S. (2014, March 3). Ancient “Giant Virus” Revived From Siberian Permafrost. Accessed October 29, 2015.
- ↑ Matt Hall, 2013, pers. comm. Sorry, this is the best reference I can find.
External links
Add any other relevant external links in the section.
- What Is Paleovirology? From Paleovirology Online
- The Paleovirology Website Home of the Fossil Record
- The World’s Largest Virus Was Just Resurrected From 34,000-Year-Old Permafrost From the Smithsonian
- You should also search the websites for NASA, NOAA, USGS, EPA, and the National Geographic Education Encyclopedia.
- Please DO NOT list the long URLs here! Let the user hover over text to get to a website (such as the examples provided above).