Hunt for ancient viruses as Russia’s leading virology centre samples remains of Ice Age animals
16 February 2021
Scientists from Novosibirsk-based Vector are working in Yakutia on a paleo-virus experiment.
‘The team of Vector Virology Centre is keen to find paleo-viruses that would allow to start development of paleo-virology in Russia and conduct leading researched in virus evolution . Picture: Nina Sleptsova/NEFU
First ever check for paleo-viruses on the Pleistocene era animals preserved in permafrost of Yakutia, Russia’s largest and coldest inhabited region started today in the Mammoth Museum of Yakutsk.
More than 50 samples were taken from 4,450 year old remains of the Verkhoyansk horse, found in 2009 in north-east of Yakutia and other prehistoric animals from the collection.