Ocean water and polar ice contain viruses that can trap greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists are currently trying to figure out how to power them and incorporate them into the controlled absorption process of carbon dioxide and methane from the atmosphere.

How does it work

As explained in an Ohio State University press release, scientists have begun searching for viruses that could help mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Some of these capture carbon from seawater, while others prevent methane from leaking from rapidly melting permafrost.

Building on a 2016 study that identified viruses that help the ocean absorb carbon, microbiologist Matthew Sullivan and his colleagues are now using artificial intelligence modeling and genome sequencing to identify viruses with carbon-eating mechanisms called “underwater carbon metabolism.”

Oceans absorb carbon dioxide and this protects us from climate change. Carbon is absorbed in gaseous form and is transformed into organic carbon under the influence of microbes,
– Sullivan explained the research by presenting it at the conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

He and his colleagues, including Virginia Rich, associate professor of microbiology, and Damien Evillard of the Tara Oceans Consortium, Some 128 viruses have been identifiedThis discovery, which contained the genes they were looking for, greatly surprised scientists.

Using a new artificial intelligence system created by Eveillard, researchers are investigating whether humans can alter ocean biology to help mitigate climate change. However, it should not be forgotten that Interfering with the genetic structure of ocean life could lead to other problems. Ensemble metabolic modeling, called Eveillard’s system, aims to examine potential unintended consequences of ocean biohacking.

Interestingly, this gene-hacking research could also help bioengineer the human microbiome, potentially affecting everything from burns on our skin to HIV-positive mothers.