Abstracts » Biological sciences

Mechanisms and rates of decay of marine viruses in seawater

Article Abstract:

The processes responsible for the loss of infectivity of marine bacteriophages in seawater samples isolated from the coastal waters of Texas were determined. Among the factors contributing to virus decay, solar radiationwas the primary mechanism causing decay of infectivity. Other factors involved were living and nonliving particulates and grazing by protozoa. Based on the results, a simple model estimating the daily rate constants for the decay and production of marine viruses is presented.

Models, Influence, Environmental aspects, Solar radiation, Marine productivity

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Fluorescently labeled virus probes show that natural virus populations can control the structure of marine microbial communities

Article Abstract:

Fluorescently labeled viruses may be used to count and identify the bacteria growing in aquatic bacterial communities. Researchers added fluorescently stained marine viruses to water containing bacterial communities. The viruses selectively infected different species and appeared to indicate accurately the changes in bacterial population. The viruses that grow naturally in these communities may control the death and growth of different bacterial strains.

Usage, Viruses

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Photoreactivation compensates for UV damage and restores infectivity to natural marine virus communities

Article Abstract:

The capability of photoreactivation to restore infectivity to sunlight-damaged natural viral communities in offshore, coastal and estuarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico was studied. Findings showed that light-dependent repair, probably photoreactivation, compensated for a huge fraction of sunlight-induced DNA damage in natural viral communities and may be important for the maintenance of high concentrations of viruses in surface waters.

Reports

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