A little-known virus that infects cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, has recently been discovered by researchers at the University of South Florida. It is the first virus of its kind to be observed in high resolution, and its discovery could be key in understanding how cyanobacteria infections spread and how to prevent them in the future. The virus, which has been named “Cyanophage FJW-1,” is a very small virus, measuring just 0.2 micrometers in size. It is composed of a single-stranded DNA genome and has a unique, helical shape. This discovery could be a big step forward in understanding how these tiny viruses can cause major problems for cyanobacteria colonies.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org