Reversible Inactivation and Desiccation Tolerance of Silicified Viruses

• Published in: Journal of Virology
• Main Authors: Laidler, James R., Shugart, Jessica A., Cady, Sherry L., Bahjat, Keith S., Stedman, Kenneth M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Society for Microbiology 2013
• Subjects: Kamchatka
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.02825-13; https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/JVI.02825-13

ABSTRACT Long-distance host-independent virus dispersal is poorly understood, especially for viruses found in isolated ecosystems. To demonstrate a possible dispersal mechanism, we show that bacteriophage T4, archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka, and vaccinia virus are reversibly inactivated by mineralization in silica under conditions similar to volcanic hot springs. In contrast, bacteriophage PRD1 is not silicified. Moreover, silicification provides viruses with remarkable desiccation resistance, which could allow extensive aerial dispersal.