C. Abergel

Functional redundancy revealed by the deletion of the mimivirus GMC-oxidoreductase genes

The study shows that deleting GMC-oxidoreductase genes in mimiviruses does not impair genomic fiber or fibril layer formation, indicating functional redundancy.

Structures of two main components of the virophage and Marseilleviridae virions extend the range of unrelated viruses using fiber head as common receptor binding fold

The paper structures two ORFan proteins from virophages and giant viruses, revealing a conserved trimeric fiber head fold used for receptor binding across unrelated viruses.

An update on eukaryotic viruses revived from ancient permafrost

The paper reports the isolation and characterization of 13 new viruses from ancient permafrost samples, highlighting their potential to challenge assumptions about the rarity of revived viruses.

Evolution of giant pandoravirus from small icosahedral viruses revealed by CRISPR/Cas9

The paper uses CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically modify giant viruses and their host, revealing evolutionary transitions from small icosahedral viruses to larger amphora-shaped viruses.

The giant Mimivirus 1.2 Mb genome is elegantly organized into a 30 nm helical protein shield

The paper reveals the Mimivirus genome is organized into a 30 nm helical protein shell with super-helical DNA strands and a central channel accommodating transcription machinery.

The 4.4 A structure of the giant Melbournevirus virion belonging to the Marseilleviridae family

The paper reports the 4.4 Å cryo-EM structure of the Melbournevirus capsid, revealing structural features and protein organization unique to the Marseilleviridae family.

High prevalence and diversity of beta-lactamase-encoding bacteria in cryosoils and ancient permafrost

This study identifies a high prevalence of beta-lactamase-encoding bacteria in Arctic and subarctic soils and permafrost, suggesting global warming could mobilize ancient DNA and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Characterization of Mollivirus kamchatka, the first modern representative of the proposed Molliviridae family of giant viruses

The paper describes the isolation and characterization of Mollivirus kamchatka, a modern relative of M. sibericum, confirming the persistence of molliviruses and their evolutionary relationship with pandoraviruses.

Commensalism in the Mimiviridae giant virus family

This study investigates the interaction network between a virophage, transpovirons, and their host giant viruses, revealing a form of commensalism where transpovirons use virophages to propagate without affecting the host virus's infectious cycle.

A spectacular anomaly in the 4-mer composition of the giant pandoravirus genomes reveals a stringent new evolutionary selection process

The paper analyzes the 4-mer composition of pandoravirus genomes and identifies a unique absence of the tetranucleotide 'AGCT', suggesting a new evolutionary selection process.

Pandoravirus celtis illustrates the microevolution processes at work in the giant Pandoraviridae genomes

The paper analyzes the Pandoravirus celtis genome to test the hypothesis that new protein-coding genes arise de novo from non-coding regions, finding ORFans and transposase insertions.

Diversity and evolution of the emerging Pandoraviridae family

This study analyzes the genomic diversity and evolution of the Pandoraviridae family by comparing newly isolated strains and performing comprehensive annotation.

Cryo-EM Of A Marseilleviridae Virus Particle Reveals A Large Internal Microassembly

The paper presents a cryo-EM structure of the Marseilleviridae virus Melbournevirus, revealing a large internal microassembly and structural complexity.