The McMurdo Dry Valleys comprise the most extensive ice-free region in Antarctica and are considered one of the coldest arid environments on Earth. A comprehensive characterization of the DNA and RNA viral communities present in different locations of the Dry Valleys will be carried out. The characterization of viruses in extreme environments, where conditions are considered very hard for life, may facilitate a better understanding of the role that viruses play in the dynamics and evolution of complex microbial communities.
Proposer: Antonio Alcami, Spanish National Research Council (Spain)
Proposal: Diversity of DNA and RNA viruses in Antarctica