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You can see with ordinary microscopes this giant virus.

Recently, scientists have discovered a new virus that is believed to be the largest ever discovered by mudflats.

By description, this new virus is called Pandora viruses . Pandora viruses is twice as large as regular viruses, which can be seen with a conventional microscope. The virus has a body size of 1 micrometer (1 millionth of a meter). In addition, the researchers also found 2,500 genes that exist in the virus - a huge number of genes.

Researcher Chantal Abergel of the Genetic Engineering Research Laboratory in Marseille, (France) said: "They're so huge that you can see it with a normal microscope, not an electron microscope." .

The image of Pandora viruses is recorded through a microscope

Through analysis, the researchers found that more than 93% of Pandora viruses' genes are completely new, it is not related to any of the previously discovered viruses. This makes Pandora's origins truly mysterious.

Researcher Abergel said: "We want to propose a large-scale study to fully clarify the function of this Pandora virus genome. Most likely, this will open a new way of discovery. Great help in biotechnology and biomedical applications ".

Experts also found that the virus was unable to replicate itself. They must invade another cell if they want to multiply. Here, Pandora viruses invaded protozoa and algae.

Researcher Jean-Michel Claverie of the Genetic Engineering Research Laboratory in Marseille, France, said: "Our knowledge of microbial biodiversity on this planet is still quite limited. basically this virus can help us better understand its origin and its evolution. "

Chantal Abergel added: "Without stopping there, future research may indicate more intermediate forms of life between the virus and the cell or establish a link between the two. The problem is to do that." Do we determine the boundary between cells and viruses? ".