Scientists have warned that the&nbsp;'crossbreeding'&nbsp;between different viruses may lead to the emergence of a completely new, altered virus with potentially more threatening characteristics. Such viruses may even trigger another COVID-19-like pandemic, said the virologists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). This natural evolution of viruses occurs as different&nbsp;virus&nbsp;species create new pathogens inside vertebrates.

“Using a new computer-assisted analysis method, we discovered 40 previously unknown nidoviruses in various vertebrates from fish to rodents, including 13 coronaviruses,”&nbsp;said DKFZ group leader Stefan Seitz.

<h2>The unexplored world&nbsp;of viruses</h2>

According to researchers, most&nbsp;of the&nbsp;viruses are still unknown to humans as scientific studies have focused more on viruses that cause diseases in humans, domestic animals and crops.

But, with the new AI-assisted method, scientists&nbsp;were able to&nbsp;peruse 300,000 data sets and&nbsp;could&nbsp;derive insightful data in one go.

<h2>What are Nidoviruses?</h2>

Nidoviruses consist of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and bear common characteristics that distinguish them from all other RNA viruses and document their relationship.

The researchers found that when host animals&nbsp;are infected&nbsp;with different viruses&nbsp;at the same time, a new virus may emerge altogether&nbsp;as a result of&nbsp;a recombination of viral genes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwij-7_ktK6GAxWMzTgGHYOeCjAQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/microplastics-found-in-blood-clots-linked-to-heart-attacks-and-strokes-724746" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/microplastics-found-in-blood-clots-linked-to-heart-attacks-and-strokes-724746&amp;ved=2ahUKEwij-7_ktK6GAxWMzTgGHYOeCjAQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Microplastics found in blood clots linked to heart attacks and strokes</a>

“Apparently, the nidoviruses we discovered in fish frequently exchange genetic material between different virus species, even across family boundaries,”&nbsp;says Stefan Seitz.

This evolution among viruses is more glaring and radical when two viruses from&nbsp;totally&nbsp; different families interact.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwij-7_ktK6GAxWMzTgGHYOeCjAQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-technique-that-can-create-diamonds-in-just-15-minutes-724346" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-technique-that-can-create-diamonds-in-just-15-minutes-724346&amp;ved=2ahUKEwij-7_ktK6GAxWMzTgGHYOeCjAQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Scientists develop technique that can create diamonds in just 15 minutes</a>

Such evolution may lead the virus to cause fatal and dangerous diseases to the host animal.

“A&nbsp;genetic exchange, as we have found in fish viruses, will probably also occur in mammalian viruses,”&nbsp;explains Stefan Seitz.

Such natural crossbreeding processes among viruses may easily&nbsp;take place&nbsp;in bats that are known to carry&nbsp;a large number of&nbsp;viruses inside their bodies.

Researchers suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus may also have developed among bats only.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have warned that the 'crossbreeding' between different viruses may lead to the emergence of a completely new, altered virus with potentially more threatening characteristics.

Scientists have warned that the 'crossbreeding' between different viruses may lead to the emergence of a completely new, altered virus with potentially more threatening characteristics. Such viruses may even trigger another COVID-19-like pandemic, said the virologists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). This natural evolution of viruses occurs as different virus species create new pathogens inside vertebrates. “Using a new computer-assisted analysis method, we discovered 40 previously unknown nidoviruses in various vertebrates from fish to rodents, including 13 coronaviruses,” said DKFZ group leader Stefan Seitz. The unexplored world of viruses According to researchers, most of the viruses are still unknown to humans as scientific studies have focused more on viruses that cause diseases in humans, domestic animals and crops. But, with the new AI-assisted method, scientists were able to peruse 300,000 data sets and could derive insightful data in one go. What are Nidoviruses? Nidoviruses consist of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and bear common characteristics that distinguish them from all other RNA viruses and document their relationship. The researchers found that when host animals are infected with different viruses at the same time, a new virus may emerge altogether as a result of a recombination of viral genes. Also read: Microplastics found in blood clots linked to heart attacks and strokes “Apparently, the nidoviruses we discovered in fish frequently exchange genetic material between different virus species, even across family boundaries,” says Stefan Seitz. This evolution among viruses is more glaring and radical when two viruses from totally different families interact. Also read: Scientists develop technique that can create diamonds in just 15 minutes Such evolution may lead the virus to cause fatal and dangerous diseases to the host animal. “A genetic exchange, as we have found in fish viruses, will probably also occur in mammalian viruses,” explains Stefan Seitz. Such natural crossbreeding processes among viruses may easily take place in bats that are known to carry a large number of viruses inside their bodies. Researchers suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus may also have developed among bats only. (With inputs from agencies)

Researchers find genetically altered Nidoviruses may trigger the next pandemic

nidovirus

Nidovirus, News on Nidovirus, stories on Nidovirus, articles on Nidovirus, Nidovirus stories at Wion, Nidovirus news, Nidovirus latest news