Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

493
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
493
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

334
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
334
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

126.3K
Overview
126.3K
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

841
Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
841
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

512
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
512
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

72.7K
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
72.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Professional Academies: The Duty to Lead.

Microbial biotechnology·2026
Same author

Infection cycles of viruses of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same author

The 4.4 Å Capsid Structure of the Giant Melbournevirus Belonging to the <i>Marseilleviridae</i> Family.

Viruses·2026
Same author

Elucidating the protein interaction network of one of the largest icosahedral capsids in the virosphere.

The EMBO journal·2026
Same author

Giant DNA viruses encode a hallmark translation initiation complex of eukaryotic life.

Cell·2026
Same author

Giant DNA viruses encode a hallmark translation initiation complex of eukaryotic life.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same journal

Hunting ecology predicts eye arrangements in the modular visual system of spiders.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Sub-second fluctuations between top-down and bottom-up modes distinguish diverse human brain states.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Queen bees offload pesticide burden to eggs when social buffering is overwhelmed.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Pitch selectivity in ferret auditory cortex.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

A cell size-dependent competition between geometry and polarity governs nuclear and spindle positioning in early embryos.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Trophic cascades drive sustainability in the agricultural heritage rice-fish coculture system.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Single Cell Micro-aspiration as an Alternative Strategy to Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Giant Virus Mixture Separation
09:50

Single Cell Micro-aspiration as an Alternative Strategy to Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Giant Virus Mixture Separation

Published on: October 27, 2019

7.4K

Giant viruses.

Chantal Abergel1, Jean-Michel Claverie1

  • 1Aix-Marseille University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Information Génomique & Structurale, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7256, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, FR3479, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France.

Current Biology : CB
|October 6, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Giant viruses, large DNA viruses, are a fascinating area of microbiology. Researchers Chantal Abergel and Jean-Michel Claverie explore these unique viral entities.

More Related Videos

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis
09:27

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis

Published on: June 4, 2016

8.0K
Preparation of Giant Vesicles Encapsulating Microspheres by Centrifugation of a Water-in-oil Emulsion
05:43

Preparation of Giant Vesicles Encapsulating Microspheres by Centrifugation of a Water-in-oil Emulsion

Published on: January 24, 2017

14.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Single Cell Micro-aspiration as an Alternative Strategy to Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Giant Virus Mixture Separation
09:50

Single Cell Micro-aspiration as an Alternative Strategy to Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Giant Virus Mixture Separation

Published on: October 27, 2019

7.4K
A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis
09:27

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis

Published on: June 4, 2016

8.0K
Preparation of Giant Vesicles Encapsulating Microspheres by Centrifugation of a Water-in-oil Emulsion
05:43

Preparation of Giant Vesicles Encapsulating Microspheres by Centrifugation of a Water-in-oil Emulsion

Published on: January 24, 2017

14.9K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Giant viruses represent a distinct class of viruses with genomes rivaling those of some bacteria.
  • Their discovery has challenged traditional definitions of viruses and expanded our understanding of microbial diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and define the characteristics of giant viruses.
  • To highlight their significance in the field of virology and evolutionary biology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and research on giant viruses.
  • Analysis of genomic and proteomic data from identified giant viruses.

Main Results:

  • Giant viruses possess exceptionally large genomes, encoding numerous genes previously thought to be exclusive to cellular life.
  • Phylogenetic analyses suggest complex evolutionary histories for these viruses, potentially involving horizontal gene transfer.

Conclusions:

  • Giant viruses blur the lines between viruses and cellular organisms, necessitating a re-evaluation of viral classification and evolution.
  • Further research into giant viruses promises to unlock new insights into the origins of life and viral adaptation.