Surprisingly little is known about how virus populations are distributed across the planet
The new research study has produced the first large-scale atlas of RNA viruses in cities and their surrounding areas. RNA viruses are a group of viruses whose genetic material consists of a single-stranded RNA molecule. The data set comprises a total of 102 cities in 31 countries.
“Tell me which city you live in and I’ll tell you which viruses you’re carrying,” says Eran Elhaik, a researcher in genetics at Lund University.
The statement may sound like a joke, but Eran Elhaik has good grounds for the claim when it comes to the cities included in the new international study - led by East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. Researchers around the world have analysed around 3,000 samples collected from public places, such as bus and train stations, banks and hospitals.
Through their analysis, the researchers have been able to establish which RNA viruses are present at the various locations. Based on this data, the researchers have subsequently been able to create a global virus atlas showing the prevalence of various RNA viruses in the cities included in the study.
The value of a viral landscape
Most viruses do not infect humans. Nevertheless, Eran Elhaik believes there is great value in mapping the different virus strains and their prevalence. Such knowledge can be used, for example, in forensic investigations in connection with a crime. Virus analysis can then provide the police with more clues and a better chance of linking a person or an object to a specific location.
A global virus atlas can also be useful in various forms of environmental monitoring where it is necessary to keep track of biological threats - or example, in the event of environmental changes that may have a negative impact on nature.
“Having a virus atlas that shows what the viral landscape in an area usually looks like can be a valuable frame of reference for detecting any abnormalities that may arise,” says Eran Elhaik.
In the study, the researchers identified nearly 55,000 different virus variants. Almost 80 per cent of them had never been observed before and were therefore unknown to science.
An unexplored world
Both viruses and bacteria remain a world yet to be explored. Although a great deal of research has already been carried out into microorganisms, only a very small proportion of these organisms have been identified, classified and studied in terms of their geographical distribution.
“Surprisingly little is known about how virus populations are distributed across the planet,” says Eran Elhaik.
The current research study clearly shows that viruses are not evenly distributed across the world. Different cities and their surrounding areas are home to different virus populations, which are shaped by geography, local environments and human activity.
“Every city has its own unique viral landscape. This gives us a sort of viral fingerprint that is specific to each individual location,” concludes Eran Elhaik.
