The sympatric lifestyle of giant viruses: contact tracing and fitness through mobile genetic elements

Giant viruses resembling bacteria in size infect a broad range of single-celled eukaryotic organisms. They contain large DNA genomes and a peculiar array of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that may be beneficial to giant viruses. Funded by the European Research Council, the CHIMERA project aims to understand the role of MGEs in the evolution and ecology of giant viruses. Researchers will examine the hypothesis that MGEs are advantageous for viruses in specific environmental setups, for example when they are in direct competition with bacteria that infect the same hosts. The project will also study the distribution of MGEs in natural ecosystems to help elucidate the interplay between viruses, bacteria and hosts.