Pandoravirus salinus
Classification
Because virus oppose the The Theory of Cell, thus, it doesn't fits into the three domain system of biological classification. However,the discovery of Pandoravirus salinus" lead scientist to think about the possibility of the existence of the fourth domain of life, other than Archean, Bacteria and Eukarya.
Pandoravirus
Description and Significance
Largest known virus found in sediments of Chile coastal area. Under the Baltimore Classification, P. salinus is classified as Group I virus. Give a brief description of the microorganism and explain why you think it is important. How does it relate to the other organisms in its phylum (bacteria and fungi) or group (archaea, virus, protist). Use the following for each reference in text (change number accordingly)--> [1]
Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle
Large enough to be observe under a light microscope. http://guardianlv.com/2013/07/pandora-virus-is-new-domain-of-life/ Measures 1 micrometer; It's got an arsenal of 2,556 genes compared with the flu's 7 or HIV's 9. http://now.msn.com/pandoravirus-is-a-giant-virus-discovered-thats-1000-the-size-of-the-flu
We report the isolation of two giant viruses, one off the coast of central Chile, the other from a freshwater pond near Melbourne (Australia), without morphological or genomic resemblance to any previously defined virus families. Their micrometer-sized ovoid particles contain DNA genomes of at least 2.5 and 1.9 megabases, respectively. These viruses are the first members of the proposed “Pandoravirus” genus, http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6143/281.short
When people look into cells and when they see things that don't have the right dimension or don't have regular assets or geometries, they don't think of viruses—they think its some kind of bacteria." owever, with its novel morphological features and genetic code twice the size of Megavirus, pandoraviruses will eventually add a new range of questions to the abiding question of the origins of life on Earth.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/354786#ixzz2ZckUwVJi
Interesting features of its structure; how it gains energy (how it replicates, if virus); what important molecules it produces (if any), does it have an interesting life cycle?
Ecology and Pathogenesis
It is reported that the virus was isolated from the mouth of Chile's Tunquen River located in central of Chile. Furthermore, another member of the Pandoravirus genus, Pandoravirus dulcius from a freshwater pond near Melbourne, Australia. Therefore, their habitat is most likely to be in water.
According to the name of the two scientist insert here, they summarized that the Pandoraviruses parasitize amoebas.
researchers say these megaviruses, which live underwater, are harmless to humans (so far) http://now.msn.com/pandoravirus-is-a-giant-virus-discovered-thats-1000-the-size-of-the-flu
Natural habitat (soil, water, commensal of humans or animals?)
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, or plant hosts? Important virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
[1] EXAMPLE ONLY. REPLACE WITH YOUR REFERENCES. Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. 2000. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 50: 489-500. http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489
Author
Page authored by Mei Kuen Tang, student of Mandy Brosnahan, Instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MICB 3301/3303: Biology of Microorganisms.
