The research team for emerging infectious and tropical diseases at CNRS/Université Aix Marseille 2, led by Didier Raoult, has just described a new type of virus that could constitute a new type of biological entity. This virus, called a virophage, infects giant viruses such as the Mimivirus. It assists in transferring genes from one giant virus to another. The team’s work is published in the August 7, 2008, issue of Nature.
To learn more please consult the CNRS press release (in French).
