Using a virus-host system to unravel viral impacts on soil carbon cycling

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. However, soil viruses are barely investigated, and viral impacts in soils are vastly unquantified.

Here, using a novel approach, I propose to experimentally quantify for the first time to what extent soil viruses modulate carbon cycling, including carbon dioxide emissions, by attacking their bacterial host.

Results from this project will contribute to the refinement of soil carbon models and reveal if viruses have potential for exploitation in novel biotechnological applications to control soil greenhouse gas emissions and retain soil carbon.