Discover New NEON Terrestrial Giant Viruses and Virophages
The discovery of giant viruses with genomes harboring up to the current record of 2,978 genes (bigger than some bacteria) has changed the boundaries of life. Giant viruses are part of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota whose members include the causative agents of smallpox and swine hemorrhagic fever, but provide benefits through biocontrol of insects, mitigating toxic algal blooms and enzymes for biotechnology. Virophages are much smaller viruses that inhibit the replication of giant viruses. We are developing and applying bioinformatic methods to discover viruses in metagenomes from National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), including a new sampling effort in the Harvard Forest and the North Quabbin Watershed in Massachusetts. How giant are giant viruses?...see the images in our preprint "Amazing structural diversity of giant virus-like particles in forest soil"
This is paramount in understanding how giant viruses adapt to new hosts and environmental change. Our laboratory has collaborations with other universities, research institutes, national laboratories and the Massachusetts biotech industry. Through this network students will learn about different career opportunities. There is a possibility of international travel to work with our collaborators. Our laboratory group enjoys the perspectives of students from diverse life experiences and an inclusive environment!