Incubation The Viral Universe Inside Us
Dec 5, 2024
Ken Stedman, a biology professor at Portland State University, dives into the intriguing world of undiscovered viruses, revealing groundbreaking findings about their diversity in extreme environments. Shiraz Shah, a senior researcher at Copenhagen University Hospital, unveils the surprising connection between gut viruses in infancy and the risk of childhood asthma. Together, they explore the vast viral ecosystems within us and how these little-known agents can significantly shape our health, challenging existing ideas about our microbiome.
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Viral Dark Matter
- We are surrounded by viruses, yet we've only identified a small fraction of them.
- This "viral dark matter" may hold answers to many biological questions.
Boiling Springs Lake
- Ken Stedman researches viruses in extreme environments like Boiling Springs Lake.
- This lake is hot, acidic, and full of unknown viruses.
Cruciviruses
- DNA and RNA viruses were thought to be evolutionarily distinct.
- Cruciviruses, a hybrid of both, challenge this view, suggesting genetic exchange.