This podcast episode explores the nature of viruses, challenging the traditional view that they are non-living entities. The discovery of giant viruses, which have genomes larger than some bacteria, has led to new insights into the diversity and complexity of viruses. Giant viruses possess unique genes and the ability to create their own viral factories, challenging our understanding of the boundaries between viruses and cellular life. The discovery of these viruses in various environments has implications for our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth and the potential for life's diversity beyond our current knowledge.
