So many interesting features and so many questions and hypothesis. Happy to further chat about this new dinoflagellate-virus system. But hereʻs a quick summary of what we found:

We then purified and sequence its genome. We found tail protein homologs and interesting cellular homologs (common to giant viruses), as well as co-occurring, albeit low abundance virus (named co-PelV)

This is reminiscent of an archaeal virus that develops it tails outside of its host! Possibly through a self assembling protein.

Entry is likely phagocytosis. But we were baffled to see that it produces non-tailed virions upon lysis.

Hereʻs an electron micrograph:

A curious feature is the tail that can extend to as long as an E. coli. We found one that is 2.3um long.

PelV-1 as we call it was isolated by Chris Schvarcz from Hawaii waters.

Napakahusay ng Isang Himala (2024)!!!
Ibang level!!!

Go watch it before it’s gone. #MMFF2024

In company of such brilliant folks. #NatGeoAsiaPacific