Giant Virus Biology and Biodiversity

Dear Colleagues,

Since the discovery of Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus in 2003, a hidden world of “giant viruses” or double-stranded DNA-containing nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV) that infect eukaryotic microorganisms has been revealed. Their large genomes and particle sizes, together with complex biological features, have launched debates regarding the definitions of the terms “virus” and “life” and regarding the evolution of eukaryotes. Although the epoch-making biology of individual giant viruses, including mimiviruses, marseilleviruses, and pandoraviruses, has been well studied, their diversity and their roles in ecosystems have yet to be thoroughly explored. Recent genomic analyses of isolated viruses and giant virus metagenomic studies have begun to clarify the biodiversity of giant viruses, revealing both global and local diversity among giant viruses, such as mimiviruses and marseilleviruses, in aquatic and terrestrial soil environments. This Special Issue provides new findings concerning the biodiversity of giant viruses from a wide range of viewpoints, including genomic to ecological perspectives, to enable significant advances in our knowledge and understanding of giant virus biology.

Prof. Dr. Masaharu Takemura
Guest Editor

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