CMB
Research
Scientists can't prepare for future viral threats if they don't know what's already in the environment. That's the idea behind an international research project involving JABSOM, where researchers created the largest known atlas of RNA viruses found in urban and peri-urban environments worldwide.
The study, recently published in Nature Communications, identified more than 55,000 RNA virus sequences collected from soil, sediment and other environmental samples across nearly 100 cities in 30 countries. About 80 percent of those viruses had never been documented before.
While that number may sound alarming, Dr. Joshua Burkhart says the findings should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a cause for concern.
"I don't think the results of this study recognize increased risk," said Burkhart, an affiliate assistant professor in JABSOM's Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. "Actually, I think it's a very hopeful message."
Rather than discovering the next pandemic, researchers have created a baseline map of viruses that already exist in the environments people encounter every day. That information could help scientists recognize unusual viral activity sooner and improve surveillance efforts during future outbreaks.
"What this study shows is that we can do viral surveillance," Burkhart said. "I don't think we can propose that we have an idea of the next pandemic, but work like this, if conducted more regularly, could help us get ahead of the next pandemic."
Researchers analyzed environmental samples including soil, sediment and wastewater, to identify RNA viruses, a group that includes viruses capable of infecting humans, animals, plants and bacteria.
Among the discoveries were about 60 viruses that computer models predict could infect humans and 47 that may infect other animals. The team also identified 166 viruses that appear to interact with antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as ESKAPE pathogens. Those viruses may one day help scientists develop new ways to combat bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.
"It opens a door," Burkhart said. "The ESKAPE pathogens are the primary risk, and these viruses could open new avenues for us to develop new antibacterial agents."
The study also revealed an unexpected finding. For years, scientists believed RNA viruses primarily infected animals. Instead, researchers found that roughly half appear to infect bacteria, significantly expanding scientists' understanding of the viral tree of life. Burkhart is particularly interested in mosquito-borne viruses, including those in the same family as yellow fever. As climate change allows mosquitoes to expand into new regions, understanding how those viruses evolve and spread could become increasingly important.
Environmental sampling also highlighted another area for future research.
"Soil and sediment had extremely high viral diversity," Burkhart said. "We already know there are many risks of floodwater and runoff water. I think this study emphasizes our need to study those sources even more."
Although Hawaiʻi samples were collected as part of related research, they were not included in this publication. Burkhart hopes future studies will expand environmental monitoring throughout the islands. For now, he says the takeaway for the public is simple.
"Keep living life, and be hopeful,” he said.
The bigger message is for the scientific community. By creating a global atlas of viruses that already exist in the environment, researchers have provided a resource that could help the world respond faster and more effectively when the next viral threat emerges. Representing JABSOM, Burkhart is proud to contribute to that effort.
" I conducted this work while I was a postdoctoral researcher in the bioinformatics core here at JABSOM,” he said. “This is the second high-impact project I did with them. It’s great to know that out in the middle of the Pacific, I still have access to the tools and the knowledge that I need to do good work."