Earth's Hidden Viral World: A Massive Map of Tiny Life

A Global Map of Viruses

Viruses are the most common living things on our planet, yet we know very little about them. A new project called VIRE is changing that. It is like a big map of viruses from all over the world.

1.7 million viral genomes
100, 000+ samples
Sources: Oceans, soil, human bodies

More Than Just a List

VIRE is not just a list of viruses. It provides details about each one, including:

Genome completeness
Virus type
Function

The information comes from various sources, all compiled in one place.

Connected to Other Projects

VIRE is linked to other projects that study microbes and their environments. This helps scientists understand how viruses interact with other living things.

Accessible to Everyone

Free to use
Easy to access

Scientists hope VIRE will help us learn more about viruses and how life works on Earth.

Why Does This Matter?

Viruses affect everything:

Can make us sick
Help keep ecosystems healthy

By studying them, we can learn more about our planet and find better ways to protect it.

A Big Step Forward

VIRE provides a wealth of information, but there is still much to learn. Viruses are complex and adapt quickly, making them hard to study. However, with tools like VIRE, scientists are making progress and uncovering the secrets of these tiny but powerful life forms.