Scientists Discover First Giant Virus in Finnish Soil

Scitech Daily ^ | April 20, 2025 | University of Jyväskylä

[Red Badger]

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have for the first time isolated a giant virus in Finland, Jyvaskylavirus, revealing that these large amoeba‑infecting viruses are more widespread in northern soils and waters than previously thought. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.com

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Finland’s first giant virus, Jyvaskylavirus, shows these viruses are more widespread than thought and play key roles in ecosystems.

For the first time in Finland, researchers at the University of Jyväskylä’s Nanoscience Center have isolated a giant virus, which they have named Jyvaskylavirus. This discovery suggests that giant viruses may be more widespread in northern regions than previously believed. It also highlights how much remains unknown about the structure, origin, and function of many such biological entities.

Viruses are ubiquitous in nature. While most naturally occurring viruses pose no threat to humans, they play vital roles in ecosystems. In recent years, scientists have identified giant viruses, some as large as bacteria, that infect amoebas and other microscopic organisms. To date, most known giant viruses have been discovered in Europe and South America, but their life cycles and distribution patterns remain poorly understood.

The Finnish giant virus has French relatives

The study, initiated at the University of Jyväskylä, is the first to isolate giant viruses from Finland. The giant virus, named Jyvaskylavirus, was discovered when environmental samples were mixed with a culture of amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. The virus particle is 200 nanometres in diameter, about twice the size of influenza or coronavirus.

Images of Jyvaskylavirus. The virus particle is about twice the size of influenza or coronavirus. Credit: University of Jyväskylä

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“Through an international collaboration, we elucidated the genome and structure of the Jyvaskylavirus, which was found to be related to Marseilleviruses previously isolated from France. Other new giant viruses were also detected in environmental samples,” rejoices professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg from the University of Jyväskylä.

New giant virus regulates microbial populations in soil

The finding indicates that giant viruses are more prevalent than thought in soil and water, even in northern environments.

“The discovery will help to understand the interactions between microbes and the role of viruses in regulating populations of all living organisms, as well as providing new insights into the structure of giant viruses,” says Sundberg.

Reference:

“Genomic and structural insights into Jyvaskylavirus, the first giant virus isolated from Finland”

by Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida, Iker Arriaga, Bruna Luiza de Azevedo, Miika Leppänen, Jonatas S Abrahão, Julien Andreani, Davide Zabeo, Janne J Ravantti, Nicola GA Abrescia and Lotta-Riina Sundberg, 25 March 2025, eLife.

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.103492

[Cold Heart]

Also home to the Giant Finish rabbit

[Red Badger]

Flemish Giant rabbit..................

[blueunicorn6]

“The Finnish Giant Virus has French relatives.”

Don’t ask them to loan you money.

They’ll send you snails.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

Don’t tell Fauci.

[Ken Regis]

It’s hard to tell how big it really is.

They should take a picture of it with a dime so we can get a sense of how big it really is.

((LOL))

[Ken Regis]

… or maybe a bread box?

[Cold Heart]

Thanks. I was talking to the Easter Bunny about it and he always lies.

[Bikkuri]

Smiley Virus
(giant compared to any other virus)

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I can hear the chant at Finnish football games, ... “We are Jyväskylä’s!,” “We are Jyväskylä’s!,” “We are Jyväskylä’s!”

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger. I tried to warn a Finn about this, he said it was misinformation and a conspiracy theory, and I said he was full of it, and then he said, "so Suomi". It's all in the setup. I'll be here all week.