Revive the 700-year-old virus

New US scientists have successfully "revived" a 700-year-old virus, frozen in ancient reindeer dung, and used it to infect a plant.

Viruses are found in an ice layer in the Selwyn Mountains, Canada. According to experts at the San Francisco Research Institute, because in a frozen state for a long time, its DNA remains in its original shape and is easily distinguishable from reindeer's DNA.

Many viruses are thought to be able to revive under the effects of global warming.(Artwork: AFP)

"We have shown that genetic material from ancient viruses in reindeer's carcasses has been frozen for at least seven centuries. The DNA genome replicated by one of these viruses has replicated and spread. systematic way in the tree " , RT quoted Eric Delwar, a member of the research team.

By "resurrecting" this, the team found that the virus was still capable of infecting many centuries. Meanwhile, global warming can also revive many other infectious viruses.

Ancient virus research was previously limited because of poor storage conditions and low concentration. However, gene technology is helping scientists to recreate ancient viruses and study their interactions with plants today.

Previously, a giant virus dating back 30,000 years, under the ice in Siberia, Russia, was "revived" in the laboratory.